U.S. patent application number 16/923079 was filed with the patent office on 2022-01-13 for fast change of state of weed seeds to having reduced germination viability using low input energy unnatural dual component indigo region and medium wavelength infrared illumination.
The applicant listed for this patent is Joseph M. CARROLL, Mark J. ELTING, Christopher J. HOFFMAN, Jonathan A. JACKSON, Patrick A. JACKSON, Norman E. NOVOTNEY, Remigio PERALES. Invention is credited to Joseph M. CARROLL, Mark J. ELTING, Christopher J. HOFFMAN, Jonathan A. JACKSON, Patrick A. JACKSON, Norman E. NOVOTNEY, Remigio PERALES.
Application Number | 20220008889 16/923079 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220008889 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JACKSON; Jonathan A. ; et
al. |
January 13, 2022 |
Fast Change of State of Weed Seeds to Having Reduced Germination
Viability Using Low Input Energy Unnatural Dual Component Indigo
Region and Medium Wavelength Infrared Illumination
Abstract
A change of state of weed seeds to having reduced germination
viability in one minute by illuminating a seed in a processing
theater to achieve at least one of 0.66 J/cm2 cumulative
illumination energy, and 0.06 W/cm2 irradiance, of at least one of
an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID), and Medium
Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation, preferably 2-8 microns, with
no high energy transfers, scalding, heat shock, cooking or
incineration. The MWIR radiation from heated borosilicate glass or
glass powder at just under 500 C offered a peak MWIR emission of
3.75 microns, and was unexpectedly effective, and can be used in a
radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator transport belt. The
process can be incorporated into a harvester combine to convert a
tailings flow prior to discharge on an agricultural field. An
illuminated harvest combine using an illuminator according to the
invention allows reduction of the weed seed bank.
Inventors: |
JACKSON; Jonathan A.;
(DAYTON, OH) ; HOFFMAN; Christopher J.; (DAYTON,
OH) ; NOVOTNEY; Norman E.; (MASON, OH) ;
CARROLL; Joseph M.; (CEDARVILLE, OH) ; JACKSON;
Patrick A.; (DAYTON, OH) ; PERALES; Remigio;
(OBERLIN, OH) ; ELTING; Mark J.; (OSSINING,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JACKSON; Jonathan A.
HOFFMAN; Christopher J.
NOVOTNEY; Norman E.
CARROLL; Joseph M.
JACKSON; Patrick A.
PERALES; Remigio
ELTING; Mark J. |
DAYTON
DAYTON
MASON
CEDARVILLE
DAYTON
OBERLIN
OSSINING |
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
NY |
US
US
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
16/923079 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2020 |
International
Class: |
B01J 19/12 20060101
B01J019/12; A01C 1/00 20060101 A01C001/00 |
Claims
1. A high speed, substantially non-invasive, low-irradiance method
to induce a change of state of a seed (S) to having reduced
germination viability in a time under one minute, said method
comprising illuminating said seed to achieve a minimum of at least
one of 2/3 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination energy, and 0.06
W/cm.sup.2 irradiance, of a light wavelength distribution
comprising at least one of an Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution (IRID) and Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR))
radiation.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said Medium Wavelength Infrared
radiation includes substantially wavelengths ranging from 2 to 8
microns.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution includes substantially wavelengths ranging from 400 to
500 nanometers.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said method can comprise any of
[A], [B], [C] and [D]: [A] a course of exposure for weed seeds with
damaged coats (Sd), comprising illuminating said seed to achieve a
minimum of at least one of 2/3 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination
energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance; [B] a course of exposure
for weed seeds with damaged coats and chaff (Sdc), comprising
illuminating said seed to achieve a minimum of at least one of 2/3
J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2
irradiance; [C] a course of exposure for weed seeds with intact
coats (S), comprising illuminating said seed to achieve a minimum
of at least one of 1 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination energy, and
0.06 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance; [D] a course of exposure for weed seeds
with intact coats and chaff (Sc), comprising illuminating said seed
to achieve a minimum of at least one of 4 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative
illumination energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said light wavelength
distribution is proportioned to be between 6 and 30 percent Indigo
Region Illumination Distribution.
6. The method of claim 1, comprising illuminating said seed to
achieve a minimum of at least one of 2 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative
illumination energy, and 0.2 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein said Medium Wavelength Infrared
radiation originates at least in part from any of borosilicate
glass, Pyrex.RTM. Glass Code 7740, soda lime glass, aluminum oxide
ceramic, and a powder coat (E+).
8. A high speed, substantially non-invasive, low-irradiance method
to treat a seed (S) in a processing theater (4) that receives at
least part of a tailing flow in a harvesting process, so as to
induce a change of state of said seed to having reduced germination
viability in a time under one minute, said method comprising
transporting said seed to and from the processing theater; and
illuminating said seed while in the processing theater to achieve a
minimum of at least one of 2/3 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination
energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance, of a light wavelength
distribution comprising at least one of an Indigo Region
Illumination Distribution (IRID) and Medium Wavelength Infrared
(MWIR)) radiation.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein said Medium Wavelength Infrared
radiation includes substantially wavelengths ranging from 2 to 8
microns.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein said Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution includes substantially wavelengths ranging from 400 to
500 nanometers.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein said light wavelength
distribution is proportioned to be between 6 and 30 percent Indigo
Region Illumination Distribution
12. The method of claim 8, comprising illuminating said seed to
achieve a minimum of at least one of 2 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative
illumination energy, and 0.2 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance
13. The method of claim 8, wherein said Medium Wavelength Infrared
radiation originates at least in part from any of borosilicate
glass, Pyrex.RTM. Glass Code 7740, soda lime glass, aluminum oxide
ceramic, and a powder coat (E+).
14. The method of claim 8, wherein said transporting said seed to
and from the processing theater comprises transporting said seed to
and from a weed seed accumulator (3).
15. The method of claim 14, wherein said transporting said seed to
and from the processing theater comprises transporting said seed to
and from a weed seed accumulator belt (3Z, 3ZE, 3Z8, 3ZE8).
16. The method of claim 8, wherein said transporting said seed to
and from the processing theater comprises transporting said seed to
and from a transmissive weed seed accumulator belt (3Z8), and
wherein at least a portion of said illuminating said seed comprises
passing at least some of said Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution of said light wavelength distribution through the
transmissive weed seed accumulator belt.
17. The method of claim 8, wherein said transporting said seed to
and from the processing theater comprises transporting said seed to
and from a radiant weed seed accumulator belt (3ZE), and wherein at
least a portion of said illuminating said seed comprises generating
at least some of said Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation of said
light wavelength distribution from heating of, and thermal emission
from, the radiant weed seed accumulator belt itself.
18. The method of claim 8, wherein said transporting said seed to
and from the processing theater comprises transporting said seed to
and from a radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator belt
(3Z8E), and wherein illuminating said seed comprises passing at
least some of said Indigo Region Illumination Distribution of said
light wavelength distribution through the radiant and transmissive
weed seed accumulator belt, and wherein illuminating said seed also
comprises generating at least some of said Medium Wavelength
Infrared radiation of said light wavelength distribution from
heating of, and thermal emission from, the radiant and transmissive
weed seed accumulator belt itself.
19. The method of claim 8, wherein said transporting said seed to
and from the processing theater comprises transporting said seed to
and from a weed seed accumulator belt (3Z), and further comprises
harvest handling by assembly and retention of said seed on a first
portion of said weed seed accumulator belt, and expulsion of said
seed from a second portion of said weed seed accumulator belt, by
driving at least one of air flow and fluid flow through the belt,
with said at least one of air flow and fluid flow so positioned to
create a vacuum to assist in said assembly and retention at said
first portion, and a positive pressure to assist in said expulsion
at said second portion.
20. An illuminated harvester combine process comprising any of
reaping (REAPER), threshing (THRESHER), and separating (SEPARATOR)
a harvest to form a tailings flow (TAILINGS); and further
comprising illuminating said tailings flow (ILLUMINATOR), said
illuminating comprising a high speed, substantially non-invasive,
low-irradiance method to treat a seed (S) in a processing theater
(4) that receives at least part of said tailings flow so as to
induce a change of state of said seed to having reduced germination
viability in a time under one minute, said method comprising
transporting said seed to and from the processing theater; and
illuminating said seed while in the processing theater to achieve a
minimum of at least one of 2/3 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination
energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance, of a light wavelength
distribution comprising at least one of an Indigo Region
Illumination Distribution (IRID) and Medium Wavelength Infrared
(MWIR)) radiation.
21. The process of claim 20 wherein said Medium Wavelength Infrared
radiation includes substantially wavelengths ranging from 2 to 8
microns.
22. The process of claim 20 wherein said Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution includes substantially wavelengths ranging from 400 to
500 nanometers.
23. The process of claim 20, wherein said light wavelength
distribution is proportioned to be between 6 and 30 percent Indigo
Region Illumination Distribution.
24. The process of claim 20, comprising illuminating said seed to
achieve a minimum of at least one of 2 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative
illumination energy, and 0.2 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance.
25. The process of claim 20, wherein said Medium Wavelength
Infrared radiation originates at least in part from any of
borosilicate glass, Pyrex.RTM. Glass Code 7740, soda lime glass,
aluminum oxide ceramic, and a powder coat (E+).
26. The process of claim 20, wherein said processing theater that
receives at least part of said tailings flow comprises at least a
portion of an auger elevator.
27. A radiant weed seed accumulator belt (3ZE, 3ZE8) for
illuminating a seed (S) to induce a state of reduced germination
viability in a time under one minute, said radiant weed seed
accumulator belt so constructed and so formed to comprise an MWIR
emitter (E), in turn so formed, composed and positioned to emit
Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation by heating of, and thermal
emission from, at least a portion of the radiant weed seed
accumulator belt itself.
28. The radiant weed seed accumulator belt of claim 27, wherein
said MWIR emitter is so composed to emit Medium Wavelength Infrared
radiation that includes substantially wavelengths ranging from 2 to
8 microns.
29. The radiant weed seed accumulator belt of claim 27, wherein
said MWIR emitter is so composed that Medium Wavelength Infrared
radiation originates at least in part from any of borosilicate
glass, Pyrex Glass Code 7740, soda lime glass, aluminum oxide
ceramic, and a powder coat (E+).
30. The radiant weed seed accumulator belt of claim 27, wherein
said radiant weed seed accumulator belt is so constructed and
formed to allow a light wavelength distribution comprising an
Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID to pass through the
radiant weed seed accumulator belt to allow transmission of said
Indigo Region Illumination Distribution to said seed, and thus
becoming a radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator belt
(3ZE8).
31. The radiant weed seed accumulator belt of claim 30, wherein
said radiant weed seed accumulator belt comprises a plurality of
links (Z) so formed, linked, positioned and optically composed to
allow said Indigo Region Illumination Distribution to be
transmitted link-to-link and also to be emitted from said plurality
of links to impinge upon said seed.
32. An illuminated harvester combine comprising any of a reaper
(REAPER), a thresher (THRESHER), and a separator stage (SEPARATOR),
so formed to produce a tailings flow (TAILINGS); and an comprising
further an illumination unit (ILLUMINATOR/IE8/IE4) to illuminate
said tailings flow, said illumination unit so formed to allow
treating a seed (S) in a processing theater (4) that receives at
least part of said tailings flow so as to induce a change of state
of said seed to having reduced germination viability in a time
under one minute, and said illumination unit comprising at least
one of a MWIR emitter E and a IRID emitter 88, further so formed,
positioned and energized to allow illuminating said seed while in
the processing theater to achieve a minimum of at least one of 2/3
J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2
irradiance, of a light wavelength distribution comprising at least
one of an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID) and Medium
Wavelength Infrared (MWIR)) radiation.
33. The illuminated harvester combine of claim 32, wherein said
illumination unit is so formed, positioned and energized to allow
that said Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation includes
substantially wavelengths ranging from 2 to 8 microns.
34. The illuminated harvester combine of claim 32, wherein said
illumination unit is so formed, positioned and energized to allow
that said Indigo Region Illumination Distribution includes
substantially wavelengths ranging from 400 to 500 nanometers.
35. The illuminated harvester combine of claim 32, wherein said
illumination unit is so formed, positioned and energized to allow
that said light wavelength distribution is proportioned to be
between 6 and 30 percent Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution.
36. The illuminated harvester combine of claim 32, wherein said
illumination unit is so formed, positioned and energized to allow
illuminating said seed to achieve a minimum of at least one of 2
J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination energy, and 0.2 W/cm.sup.2
irradiance.
37. The illuminated harvester combine of claim 32, wherein said
illumination unit is so formed that said Medium Wavelength Infrared
radiation originates at least in part from any of borosilicate
glass, Pyrex Glass Code 7740, soda lime glass, aluminum oxide
ceramic, and a powder coat (E+).
38. The illuminated harvester combine of claim 32, wherein said
processing theater that receives at least part of said tailings
flow comprises at least a portion of an auger elevator.
39. A compact configuration agricultural illumination unit
(ILLUMINATOR/IE8/IE4), said illumination unit so formed to allow
treating a seed (S) in a processing theater (4) that receives at
least part of a tailings flow (TAILINGS) so as to induce a change
of state of said seed to having reduced germination viability in a
time under one minute, and said illumination unit comprising at
least one of a MWIR emitter E and a IRID emitter 88, and further so
formed, positioned and energized to allow illuminating said seed
while in the processing theater to achieve a minimum of at least
one of 2/3 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination energy, and 0.06
W/cm.sup.2 irradiance, of a light wavelength distribution
comprising an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID) and
Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR)) radiation, with said MWIR
emitter E and IRID emitter 88 so further sized, positioned, formed
and assembled to allow that a substantial portion of said Indigo
Region Illumination Distribution passes through said MWIR emitter E
itself to be directed at said seed.
40. The compact configuration agricultural illumination unit of
claim 39, wherein said illumination unit is so formed, positioned
and energized to allow that said Medium Wavelength Infrared
radiation includes substantially wavelengths ranging from 2 to 8
microns.
41. The compact configuration agricultural illumination unit of
claim 39, wherein said illumination unit is so formed, positioned
and energized to allow that said Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution includes substantially wavelengths ranging from 400 to
500 nanometers.
42. The compact configuration agricultural illumination unit of
claim 39, wherein said illumination unit is so formed, positioned
and energized to allow that said light wavelength distribution is
proportioned to be between 6 and 30 percent Indigo Region
Illumination Distribution.
43. The compact configuration agricultural illumination unit of
claim 39, wherein said illumination unit is so formed, positioned
and energized to allow illuminating said seed to achieve a minimum
of at least one of 2 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination energy, and
0.2 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance.
44. The compact configuration agricultural illumination unit of
claim 39, wherein said illumination unit is so formed that said
Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation originates at least in part
from any of borosilicate glass, Pyrex.RTM. Glass Code 7740, soda
lime glass, aluminum oxide ceramic, and a powder coat (E+).
45. A harvest (Q) having undergone an illumination-induced change
of state to having reduced germination viability in a time under
one minute, comprising at least one seed (S), after said seed has
been subjected to illumination to achieve a minimum of at least one
of 2/3 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination energy, and 0.06
W/cm.sup.2 irradiance, of a light wavelength distribution
comprising at least one of an Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution (IRID) and Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR))
radiation.
46. An illuminated seed destruction mill to damage a seed (S) in a
damage process, said illuminated seed destruction mill comprising:
a seed destruction mill (SEED DESTRUCTION MILL) so formed, sized,
and operated for at least one of fragmentation and damage to a
seed; an illumination unit (ILLUMINATOR/IE8/IE4) so sized,
positioned, operated, deployed, and energized to illuminate said
seed in a processing theater (4) proximate said damage process;
with said illumination unit comprising at least one of a MWIR
emitter (E) and a IRID emitter (88), and further so formed,
positioned and energized to allow illuminating said seed while in
the processing theater to achieve a minimum of at least one of 2/3
J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2
irradiance, of a light wavelength distribution comprising at least
one of an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID) and Medium
Wavelength Infrared (MWIR)) radiation.
47. The illuminated seed destruction mill of claim 46, wherein said
illumination unit is so formed, positioned and energized to allow
illuminating said seed to achieve a minimum of at least one of 2
J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination energy, and 0.2 W/cm.sup.2
irradiance.
48. The illuminated seed destruction mill of claim 46, wherein said
illumination unit is so formed that said Medium Wavelength Infrared
radiation originates at least in part from any of borosilicate
glass, Pyrex.RTM. Glass Code 7740, soda lime glass, aluminum oxide
ceramic, and a powder coat (E+).
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to reducing germination viability of
seeds, including weed seeds, using one or both of two separated
general light wavelength ranges of illumination trauma. More
specifically, it relates to a relatively low energy unnatural
illumination protocol of duration less than one minute to induce
internal stress and a change of state of a weed seed or seed to
having reduced germination viability. Possible causative processes
include seed component damage, hormonal changes, damage to
photosynthetic apparatus, and photooxidative stress. The invention
does not use mutagenic or high radiative energy transfers in any
energy or wavelength, or scalding, heat shock, incineration, seed
cooking or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Agriculture and food industries represent approximately $1
trillion of US GDP (Gross Domestic Product), much of it direct
output from over 2 million farms on nearly 900 million acres of
land. Modern farming has become a highly-intensive endeavor
involving large relative amounts of financial investment and risk,
use of complex and expensive equipment, skill and mastery over
complex farming techniques and operations, and acutely focused
attention to, and knowledge of, crop and animal biology;
environments created by weather, effects of soil and decomposing
biological matter, and many varied actions of competing plants,
animals and microorganisms.
[0003] Weed interference with crops is a huge factor limiting crop
and agricultural productivity in North America and around the
world. In every farm field, weed populations can reduce crop
yields, via deleterious effects on crop growth and development, and
via competition for light, water, and nutrients. Herbicides are
widely used to manage weed seed populations, but many weeds cannot
be fully controlled and they ultimately produce seeds which form
part of a soil seedbank that can survive for years and provide a
ready supply of new weeds. This affects profitability of farming
operations, and the weed seed bank composition can affect the sale
value of agricultural land.
[0004] In particular, crop yields are most affected during early
crop development, and there is a Critical Period for Weed Control
(CPWC) to avoid unacceptable crop yield parasitic losses. Chemicals
excreted into soil by a weed can affect growth and development of a
crop species. This is so-called allelopathy, where exudation of
chemical compounds by one plant has negatives on a neighboring
plant. In the fight for survival, plants rely on a complex sensory
system to detect the presence of neighboring plants, resulting in
compensatory mechanisms like shade avoidance, which tends to cause
more leaf growth, and taller stem growth, at the expense,
relatively, of root development. This affects the normal course of
growth and development. Farmers often rely on herbicides, tillage
and the use of cover crops and organic weed control techniques to
keep weed populations low to not reduce yields and overall
profitability.
[0005] One goal is to reduce the size of the weed seed bank. See
[REF 1: Dynamics and management of crop-weed interference, Eric R.
Page, Chris J. Wllenborg, Praire Soils & Crops Journal, Volume
6, 2013, pgs 24-32]. Weed seeds include: palmer amaranth,
waterhemp, common lambsquarters, giant foxtail, velvetleaf, ivyleaf
morning glory, giant ragweed, common cocklebur. These and other
plant seeds are storage organs for resources needed to support
germination and the energy reserves are an excellent food source
for animals that live in agricultural fields, such as ground
beetles, crickets, and mice. Such animals consume a small portion
of the weed seed bank, but typically most of the weed seed bank
remains. Another weed, Amaranthus tuberculatus or tall waterhemp
(related to amaranth) affects US agriculture, and is resistant to
Roundup.RTM., a systemic glyphosate-based heribicide. Tall
waterhemp has also been reported resistant to acetolactate synthase
inhibiting (ALS) herbicides and the triazines. ALS inhibitors
affect seedling growth, and in older plants, can cause
malformation, stunted growth and decreased seed production, and are
potent at low levels. Resistance of this weed to acifluorfen and
other diphenyl ether herbicides has been reported as well. Tall
waterhemp produces three million small black seeds per plant, and
its weed seed can persist in the weed seedbank in a dormant state
for several years, even decades.
[0006] Many other herbicide-resistant weeds are prolific seed
producers. Herbicide resistance was first observed over 20 years
ago and one third of herbicide-resistant weeds became resistant
within the last 5 years. This is a growing problem with critical
implications for agriculture, the environment and US Department of
Agriculture goal to encourage regenerative farming practices.
[0007] Furthermore, reducing the use of pesticides generally for
weed and plant control has become an issue of national importance.
Ninety-five percent of fresh water on earth is ground water. Ground
water is found in natural rock formations called aquifers, and are
a vital natural resource with many uses. Over 50% of the USA
population relies on ground water as a source of drinking water,
especially in rural areas. Use of herbicides adversely impacts the
quality of ground water.
[0008] Most herbicides are persistent, soluble in water, and
ingestion at high toxicity levels can be carcinogenic, affecting
the human nervous system and causing endocrine disruption. In the
USA, concerns about the potential impacts of herbicides on human
health, as well as on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, have led
to a wide range of monitoring and management programs by state and
federal agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(USEPA). For example, atrazine is a toxic, white, crystalline solid
organic compound widely used as an herbicide for control of
broadleaf and grassy weeds, and has been detected in concentrations
problematic for human and animal health.
[0009] In agricultural grain production, desirable yield known
generally as cash crops or grains can include small seed grains,
like alfalfa, canola, flax, grass seeds, millet, mustard, oats,
rape seed, rice, rye and triicale; medium-size seeds, like barley,
lentils, popcorn, safflower, sorghum, and wheat; and large seeds,
like chickpeas, corn, edible beans, lupins, navy beans, peas,
soybeans and sunflowers.
[0010] Farmers often use cover crops, as an alternative to use of
herbicides. A cover crop is intentionally planted as an
intermediate step to planting the cash crop and functions to keep
weeds from growing through. The cover crop is then killed, often
along with the seeds of weeds. Typically, farmers use machines that
roll the cover crop, folding it like a mat, in between rows of the
cash crop. Cover crop dieback provides nutrients to the soil.
[0011] A prime mover for agriculture around the world for
harvesting a cash crop is the harvester combine, or "combine," for
short. It is so named because it generally performs three
functions: [1] reaping the crop (gathering and cutting); [2]
threshing the grain, to remove it from the plant that is harvested;
and [3] separating the grain from chaff, tailings, and confounding
materials, including cleaning and materials handling. Combines are
complex, expensive and have helped produce an economic and
agricultural boon around the world. Manufacturers include John
Deere, Case International Harvester, New Holland, Massey Ferguson,
Claas, and others.
[0012] In older combine harvester designs, a turning cylinder
threshes the crop, then reciprocating straw walkers takes grain
from the crop. In newer designs that are more prevalent today, a
specialized rotor or twin rotors both thresh and separate the grain
from the plant. In hybrid designs, a cylinder threshes the grain,
then the grain is passed to two specialized rotors that separate
the grain from the plant. The grain is typically loaded using
augers or other transport into a tank at the top of the combine, or
off-loaded.
[0013] Specifically, a unit called a header (cutting platform)
divides, gathers and cuts the crop and the harvest is augered or
transported to the threshing unit. The threshing unit separates the
grain or cash crop from the ears, husks, stems, and straw, and the
separator separates grain from chaff, which itself can contain weed
seeds. In threshing, impact, rubbing action, and centrifugal forces
are used to urge grains or beans from the MOG (material other than
grain). Tangential threshing cylinders or units with raspbars, or
rotary separation are used, with axial or tangential harvest paths.
For information on combine harvesters, see [REF 2: CIGR Handbook of
Agricultural Engineering, Volume III, Plant Production Engineering,
Edited by CIGR (The International Commission of Agricultural
Engineering), Volume Editors Bill A. Stout, Bernard Cheze,
Published by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers,
.COPYRGT. 1999, hereby incorporated in this disclosure in its
entirety].
[0014] Interestingly, as can be appreciated, combines operated to
harvest cash crops also incidentally harvest weeds, whose weed
seeds are separated from the rest of the plant and the grain. In
combines, weed seeds are indeed successfully separated from the
cash crop, but combines nonetheless generate huge amounts of
biomass tailings which contain weed seeds. These weed seeds are
discarded back into the field with chaff, and remain viable to grow
into nuisance weeds in following seasons, and to contribute to the
weed seed bank.
[0015] There are typically two waste paths coming out of a combine.
Larger waste such as straw exits or is "walked" out of the top of
the combine machine; and smaller waste is sent out the back of the
combine, often tossed by a spreader, either on surface or in a
trench. The combine gets nearly all seeds, including those from any
cover crop, and from the cash crop. Weed seeds are also sent out
back of combine with the smaller waste, often tossed by a spreader.
Weed seeds are almost always smaller in size than seeds or grains
of the cash crop. In a chaffer or top sieve, adjustable
perforations allow grain to penetrate. The top sieve typically
oscillates to convey material toward the rear of the machine. An
air blast from a fan levitates the mat of material to be sorted and
the air flow blows away the light chaff, and also typically, weed
seeds. Underneath the top sieve is the lower sieve, which is very
similar but has smaller openings. It also oscillates and uses an
air blast from a fan to separate grain from chaff. Any material
that passes through this lower sieve should be clean grain or cash
crop. Any material that passes through the chaffer but not the
sieve will go into the tailings return or out the back of the
combine. This material, MOG (Material Other than Grain) is spread
back on the land/field, and can include light chaff, stalks, pods,
cobs, and other plant or non-plant material and notably--weed
seeds.
[0016] Seed shatter figures importantly in weed seed dynamics. Seed
shatter is the percentage of seeds that drop from a weed plant
prior to harvest. Weed seed shatter research has shown high
retention rates of weed seeds at harvest. Many weeds (such as wild
mustard, foxtail, and ryegrass) retain 70% to 99% of seeds.
Therefore, for many crops and weeds, a change of state for weed
seeds in a harvest to lower germination viability will be effective
at reducing weed seedbank levels and controlling weeds. In this
sense, there is huge unmet need for reducing the weed seed bank by
reducing germination viability.
[0017] For further information on combine harvesters, see [REF 3:
Combine Harvesters: Theory, Modeling and Design, Petre Miu, CRC
Press, Boca Raton, Fla., .COPYRGT.2016, hereby incorporated in this
disclosure in its entirety].
[0018] Others have attempted to address weed seed control. For
example, impact mills have been used to damage weed seeds. The
Harrington Seed Destructor, by Raymond B Harrington of Cordering,
Australia, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,152,610 to Harrington
(Assignee: Grains Research and Development Corporation, Barton,
ACT, AU) teaches fragmentation in a cage mill to damage and render
useless weed seeds that would otherwise be discharged during
harvesting onto a field. This solution is expensive, typically
requires a follow-on vehicle, has high power requirements of 45 kW
to .about.80 kW, and suffers from operational problems such as
machine sensitivity to soil, sand, and straw from the combine
output causing excessive mill wear, and operationally, an increase
in fine dust from the mills resulting in reduced operator
visibility, as well as increased maintenance costs, and increased
fire risk due to high levels of fine dust generated.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,637 to Haller discloses soil irradiation
with microwaves. Our lab tests have shown this technique does not
work. Microwaves have poor penetration into soil, and a very long
time is required to heat up both the soil and any weed seeds. Also,
microwaving seeds directly took longer in our lab tests, did not
achieve workable and practical seed sterilization. Weed seeds in
soil can quickly sink deeper into the soil after a rain.
[0020] Others have attempted to use heat to destroy weed seeds.
While cooking a weed seed, to high temperatures will render it
useless, wholesale heating of tailings is time-consuming and
expensive and not practical given the large masses involved. In a
prior art technique called solarization, sunlight and
dark-shielding materials laid out on the ground are used to trap
heat and elevate soil temperatures. Solarization is also
time-consuming, and can take hours, working under ideal conditions,
and there is the unaddressed question of substantial thermal mass
of weed seeds shorn from the weed plants to treat from a typical
combine process during operation. See [REF 4: Weed Science 2007
55:619-625 Time and Temperature Requirements for Weed Seed Thermal
Death, Ruth M. Dahlquist, Timothy S. Prather, James J.
Stapleton].
[0021] Some have attempted to use exhaust heat from a combine
harvester to treat weed seeds. Such methods are time-consuming,
cumbersome to effect, and ineffective. In one reference,
temperatures of 75-85 C were insufficient to significantly reduce
germination of seeds after three exposure durations. See [REF 5:
Killing Weed Seeds with Exhaust Gas from a Combine Harvester,
September 2019, Klaus Jakobsen, Jakob A. Jensen, Zahra Bitarafan,
Christian Andreaen, Agronomy (received 16 Aug. 2019) DOI:
10.3390/agronomy9090544].
[0022] Oxidative signaling can influence seed germination. Reactive
Oxygen Species (ROS) affect events in seed life and may play a role
in regulating cellular growth. It is now known that the chemical
group O2--plays a role in cell death. ROS may play a role in seed
signaling, but ROS signaling transduction pathways in a seed are
not fully understood. See [REF 6: Oxidative signaling in seed
germination and dormancy, Hayat El-Maarouf-Bouteau and Christophe
Bailly, Plant Signal Behay. 2008 March; 3(3): 175-182. doi:
10.4161/psb.3.3.5539 PMCID: PMC2634111 PMID: 19513212].
[0023] Many mechanical and thermal phenomena marshaled against
undesirable plants by prior art devices, methods and teachings are
not effective overall, and this is due in large part to the natural
robustness of plants, due to their physiology and responses to
natural trauma. The role of repair, regrowth, and even the
beneficial effects of soil-borne microbes all play a role in the
hardiness of plants to prior art thermal and mechanical methods for
plant control.
[0024] Evaluation of effective methods for plant control using
largely non-invasive phenomena is a difficult subject area to
evaluate for general effectiveness because of many and varied
biologic and environmental factors, including plant species,
condition, type, environmental history, solar insolation, weather,
and varied actions of insects, animals and microbiotica.
[0025] A key component for nearly all plants, including nuisance
vegetation, is its root system, and the effects of rhizospheric
soil. In this disclosure, individual access of weed seeds and seeds
to the illumination protocol taught and claimed, as discussed
below, figures importantly. But biological responses to unnatural
illumination can be counter-intuitive and complex, and there are
many unexpected phenomenological findings discovered.
[0026] Generally, seeds are special, being relatively robust, with
significant water content, such as 18% water content, and they
typically possess an outer protective shell. Seeds can sit 20 years
in dry soil before germinating. Indeed, weed seeds are difficult to
make unviable as they can stay viable even after having been in
soil for decades. Some seeds have remained viable for 1600 years.
Reports show a typical 40 years of viability even after residing in
the soil, through temperature changes and the heaving and thawing
of that soil. Seeds possess hard shells on the outside (the seed
coat) that help preserve them from damage.
[0027] The following will review effects and phenomena, some
counterintuitive, of the effect of visible light, ultraviolet
light, and thermal radiation on plants and seeds generally.
[0028] Now referring to FIG. 1, a schematic representation of a
general electromagnetic spectrum for wavelengths of radiation of
significance that are potentially incident upon a plant, with
wavelengths ranging from 1 mm to less than 100 nm, is shown. In the
infrared portion, or heat radiation portion of the electromagnetic
spectrum, there are subdivisions for Far-Infrared (FAR), mid or
Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) and near-infrared (NEAR) all in
total ranging from 1 mm to 700 nm or 0.7 microns. Visible light
(Visible Light) is commonly taken to range from 700 nm to 400 nm.
Ultraviolet (Ultraviolet) radiation is generally taken to be of
wavelength less than 400 nm, with near-ultraviolet further divided
according to some consensus into known portions UV-A (400-320 nm),
UV-B (320-280 nm) and finally, UV-C (280 nm-100 nm) which is
extremely dangerous for humans and is often used as a germicidal
radiation to purify water and kill bacteria, viruses, and other
organisms.
[0029] There are competing standards for labeling portions of the
electromagnetic spectrum, as promulgated by ISO (International
Organization for Standardization); DIN (Deutsches Institut fur
Normung e.V). (German Institute for Standardization) and
others.
[0030] It is important to note that in this disclosure and the
appended claims, these and certain other subdivisions shall have
particular meanings assigned here and will be defined herein in the
Definitions Section.
[0031] Now referring to FIG. 2, a cartesian plot of both unfiltered
solar radiation and net (ground) solar radiation is shown, with
spectral radiance in watts per square meter per nanometer versus
wavelength in nanometers (nm) is shown. Photosynthesis in plants
makes use of visible light, especially blue and red visible light,
and ultraviolet light, to varying degrees, depending on a host of
factors including plant species and type, radiation exposure
history, chloroplast type, internal plant signaling, light exposure
history, and other factors. Note that nearly all the natural
infrared radiation in sunlight is essentially in the region in or
about near infrared (NIR), with wavelength shorter than 2
micrometers. This is in contrast to the unnatural illumination
taught and claimed in the instant disclosure.
[0032] Approximately seven percent of the raw electromagnetic
radiation emitted from the sun is in a UV range of about 200-400 nm
wavelengths. As the solar radiation passes through the atmosphere,
ultraviolet or UV radiation flux is reduced, allowing that UV-C
("shortwave") radiation (200-280 nm) is completely absorbed by
atmospheric gases, while much of the UV-B radiation (280-320 nm) is
additionally absorbed by stratospheric ozone, with a small amount
transmitted to the Earth's surface. Solar UV-A radiation (320-400
nm) is essentially, for practical purposes, not absorbed by the
ozone layer. As mentioned below, UV-B and UV-C radiation have been
suggested to effect eradication of plants.
[0033] Plants tend to respond to UV-B irradiation and also to
excessive visible light by stimulating protection mechanisms or by
activating repair mechanisms to reduce injury and perform
repair.
[0034] A common protective mechanism against potentially damaging
irradiation is the biosynthesis of UV absorbing compounds, which
include secondary metabolites, mainly phenolic compounds,
flavonoids, and hydroxycinnamate esters that accumulate in the
vacuoles of epidermal cells in response to UV-B irradiation. These
compounds attenuate UV-B range radiation and protect the inner or
deeper cell layers, with little absorptive effect on visible
light.
[0035] UV-B radiation is considered highly mutagenic, with plant
DNA particularly sensitive. UV-B radiation causes deleterious
phototransformations and can result in production of cyclobutane
pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidinone dimers
(6-4 Pps). DNA and RNA polymerases are generally not able to read
through these photoproducts and the elimination of these cytotoxic
compounds is essential for DNA replication and transcription and
for plant survival. To cope, most plants have developed repair
mechanisms including photoreactivation, excision, and recombination
repair. Photoreactivation is a light-dependent enzymatic process
using UV-A and blue light to monomerize pyrimidine dimers:
Photolyase binds to the photoproducts and then uses light energy to
initiate electron transfer to break the chemical bonds of
cyclobutane rings and restore integrity of the bases.
[0036] It is now known that plant roots also are simply generally
sensitive to UV-B light levels, such as via the action of the gene
RUS1, and can pass this information on to other parts of a plant
responsible for growth and development. Low dosages of UV-B light
can provide important signals to the rest of the plant and can be
beneficial to plant growth, helping young plants develop in a
timely way, and helping promote seedling morphogenesis. For long
term exposure of weeks' duration, too much UV-B light can be toxic
to some plants. However, any resulting lethality is not suited for
meeting the purposes served by the instant invention, as discussed
below.
[0037] The allelopathic behavior of plants can be influenced by
exposure to added (artificial) UV-B radiation [REF 7: "Allelopathic
Influence of Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale) and Its
Modification by UV-B Radiation," Nancy H. Furness, Barbara Adomas,
Qiujie Dai, Shixin Li, and Mahesh K. Upadhyaya; Weed Technology
2008 22:101-107].
[0038] Importantly, UV-B radiation can trigger biochemical steps to
activate internals processes such as wax production to provide a
plant with protection against further ultraviolet radiation [REF 8:
"A UV-B-specific signaling component orchestrates plant UV
protection," Brown B A, Cloix C, Jiang G H, Kaiserli E, Herzyk P,
Kliebenstein D J, Jenkins G I; Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2005 Dec.
13; 102(50):18225-30. Epub 2005 Dec. 5]. Plant epidermal flavonoids
can protect the photosynthetic apparatus from UVB-mediated damage
[REF 9: "Protection of the D1 photosystem II reaction center
protein from degradation in ultraviolet radiation following
adaptation of Brassica napus L. to growth in ultraviolet-B,"
Wilson, M. I. and B. M. Greenberg (1993) Photochem. Photobiol. 57,
556-563] [REF 10: "A flavonoid mutant of barley (Hordeum vulgare
L.) exhibits increased sensitivity to UV-B radiation in the primary
leaf," Reuber, S., J. F. Bornman and G. Weissenbock (1996) Plant
Cell Environ. 19, 593-601]. Given this background information, it
is very notable to examine in the discussion below, how plants
generally deal with large infrared and ultraviolet/visible light
exposures.
[0039] Now referring to FIG. 3, a partial schematic representation
of a class of prior art plant eradication using various large
infrared radiative transfers is shown. A plant Y with root R is
shown receiving a large infrared radiative transfer from a forest
fire, or any number of prior art infrared radiation-producing
processes listed as shown, such as via a flame, an incandescent
body, a hot gas, vapor (e.g., steam) or fluid, or via contact with
a hot body, or via ordinary high intensity destructive exposure to
known IR or infrared radiators.
[0040] Because of the their inherited ability to withstand forest
fires and lightning strikes, most plants do not respond in large
numbers to application of heat or thermal radiation as given in the
prior art. Application of thermal contactors or applicators have
not met with success. The heat thus delivered is ineffective or can
be sometimes be beneficial or stimulative, with any resultant
subsequent repair to a root often making the root and plant more
robust to future thermal trauma.
[0041] Application of thermal energy and high doses of radiant
energy have been shown in the prior art to burn, incinerate,
discolor, or render useless above-ground plant components and
seeds. Whether or not those same plants grew back, however, is
often left unstated in prior art disclosures.
[0042] FIG. 3, which shows schematically as an example a FIRE
impinging upon plant Y and/or root R, is followed by FIG. 4 showing
a burned root with a burned stump as shown, such as might be found
after a forest fire, with combustion byproducts, volatilized
proteins or smoke SS rising from the stump as shown. Even
obliterating plant Y above ground in this manner typically results
in the response shown in FIG. 5, which shows Regrowth as shown.
[0043] It is not sufficient merely to damage certain components of
a plant, such as causing senescence or incineration of
above-surface foliage. While visible above-ground damage may be
desirable or gratifying for an operator of a eradication machine,
actual lethality can be short of expectations and short of what is
required for a successful eradication system, particularly for
agricultural applications where fast-growing species can regenerate
in a matter of weeks. Notably, this same principle applies to seeds
during and after a forest fire.
[0044] For example, prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,832 to Hoek et
al., discloses gas-fired burners which are directed at nuisance
vegetation along a ground plane. This and other prior art methods
which burn or heat plant parts usually fail, because plants have
evolved to tolerate--and sometimes be stimulated by, forest fires
and lightning strikes.
[0045] Similarly, when propane burners and heated ceramics burn off
foliage, root structure and scattered seeds remain among plants,
and many plants regrow, often from seed. Soil is an excellent
thermal insulator both because of the presence of what are
essentially refractory materials such as silica, sand, igneous rock
particles, and the like--and also because of air content, moisture
content, and because of its high thermal mass.
[0046] It has been found through experimentation that It takes
approximately one hour for a 8000 btu/hour output propane torch to
have significant thermal effects 2.5 cm into bulk soil. Common
nuisance vegetation such as Digitaris sanguinalis in the crabgrass
family, for example, is difficult to kill, regenerates easily after
pulling, and is resistant to chemicals and thermal trauma.
[0047] Even at the high frequency, high energy portion of the
electromagnetic spectrum, many weeds such as crabgrass are fairly
transparent to UV-C and the lethality of UV-B for short term
applications of low energy is small in degree and not sufficient
for a commercially successfully eradication method.
[0048] Now referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is depicted one
typical class of prior art eradication processes or occurrences
whereby extreme ultraviolet light induced trauma is delivered with
a large UV radiative transfer via general illumination or flash
onto a naturally grown species Digitaria sanguinalis rooted into a
soil grade as shown. The radiation shown in FIG. 6 is shown for
illustrative purposes, ranging from visible light, through UV-A,
UV-B and UV-C and beyond, into what is known as Far Ultraviolet,
extremely virulent and dangerous forms of radiation.
[0049] First, it should be noted that with the various protection
mechanisms that plants employ, added amounts of UV radiation are
quite often ineffective, either wholly or in practice, for a
suitable eradication process. When plants are normally in sunlight,
they tend to develop a waxy layer on their leaves and other
similarly exposed components. These plants tend to be resistant to
UV radiation. In particular, monocots and dicots have protective
cells, including a well-developed epidermis which comprises a waxy
layer on top, called the cuticle. This waxy surface protects the
leaves from sunburn, dessication (drying out) and reduces attacks
by fungi, bacteria, virus particles and insects. This layer
prevents what is called sunscald.
[0050] When moderate levels of UV radiation are used to attempt to
clear nuisance vegetation, leaves can turn white in color as the
radiation breaks down connections of layers, and as a result, the
leaf is unable to conduct photosynthesis. Leaf components can die.
However, the root structure and seeds remain, and the plant usually
is able to adapt as after a forest fire, which inflicts similar
radiation damage.
[0051] Evaluating the effect of artificial illumination on nuisance
plants can be complex, with competing and conflicting effects and
factors. Prior art techniques have not been successful, overall. In
many cases, added illumination in the form of general UV rays
containing UV-A, UV--B and UV-C frequencies has been found to give
benefits. Inconsistencies in prior art research findings are due to
differing plant biology and genetics; soil conditions; and ambient
light, e.g., shady versus sunny conditions.
[0052] One of those inconsistencies is that, like grown plants, our
research has found that seeds do not respond as well for the
purposes of making them unviable for germination, to UV light,
whether, UV-A, or UV-B.
[0053] There are many engineering considerations that figure
importantly in determining the success of a weed seed control
system using illumination, and they are similar to that for plants.
Among the many other factors in play when using artificial
illumination are: [0054] [1] Actual operative (beneficial versus
detrimental) result from illumination stress [0055] [2]
Effectiveness, such as expressed lethality in percent dead or made
unviable after 30 days [0056] [3] Total required input energy
[0057] [4] Time of Exposure and speed of operations. Increased
speed is part of the subject of this disclosure. [0058] [5]
Infrared levels, visible light levels, UV-A levels, UV-B levels,
and UV-C levels [0059] [6] Lamp or light source system complexity,
cost, the need for controls, ballasts, and operator safety guards
[0060] [7] Operator and bystander safety, specifically often
regarding infrared and UV exposure danger. This is a significant
disadvantage for prior art methods such as that disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,929,455 to Jensen, which discloses an eradication method
using high energy radiation, high in UV-B and especially UV-C
radiation, which is dangerous and mutating. Jensen '455 uses very
high applied power. [0061] [8] Mutagenic effects from UV-B and UV-C
to life forms at ground surface and into bulk soil. Although some
mutagenic activity has been observed for even visible light, there
is a steep exponential drop in mutagenic activity and effect for
radiation over 320 nm wavelength. [0062] [8] Ignition hazards, lamp
unit operating temperatures, and cost of operation
[0063] A successful weed seed control system will develop and meet
high benchmarks regarding these factors. While some effectiveness
has been found using prior art methods, it has only been effective
for very large and dangerous radiative transfers. One reason why
these dangerous and very high energy transfers have been used is
because prior art low energy methods have not worked.
[0064] The method described by Kaj Jensen in U.S. Pat. No.
5,929,455 uses an extremely high energy, dangerous process,
specifically using UV-B and UV-C which have very high and special,
qualitatively different, lethality. Interestingly, certain species
such as crabgrass are fairly transparent to it for low dosages. As
stated, weed seeds also do not respond in a predictable or reliable
manner to UV radiation. Jensen '455 uses no other kind of light and
employs a high pressure mercury (Hg) vapor lamp with a strong 254
nm UV-C emission line and no intervening phosphor. Such emissions,
including similar emissions lines from other selected arc discharge
lamps are very dangerous, expensive and require extensive controls
and safeguards. Jensen '455 uses dosages very far greater than
10,000 joules per square meter merely to stop or retard growth
dependent on the type and size of the plant. Actual attempts at
lethality for a successful eradication process for the type of
radiation Jensen '455 arrays involves many tens of thousands of
Joules per square meter exposure.
[0065] This type of high energy exposure of UV rays, along with
very high levels of infrared and visible light, to kill life,
including plant life, is known since at least the mid-20th century.
During World War II and also during tests in decades after, it
became known that certain high energy depositions of UV-B and UV-C
radiation onto land kills vegetation and seeds, but often not
completely--and it is energies in this regime, in terms of total
Joules of deposited UV energy--that Jensen '455 uses.
[0066] The world's first hydrogen bomb test, conducted by the
United States in the Bikini Atoll in March, 1954, had unprecedented
explosive power, an equivalent explosive yield of as high as 15
Megatons of TNT (Trinitrotoluene). By contrast, the blasts at
Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan in August, 1945 yielded an
estimated 16,000 tons and 21,000 tons, respectively. Radiation
effects from these blasts received very high attention and
study.
[0067] According the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF),
a non-profit organization conducted in accord with an agreement
between the governments of Japan and the United States, initial
radiation effects were assessed by the Atomic Bomb Casualty
Commission (ABCC) established in 1947, which was later re-organized
into the RERF in 1975. This included extremely extensive and
detailed epidemiological studies of health and longevity on more
than 120,000 affected individuals, with research conducted for over
fifty years. It also included detailed observations of effects on
plants and animal life.
[0068] From the discoveries made after the bombing of Hiroshima and
Nagasaki, regarding the effects on plant life from the measured
emissions of electromagnetic (light) radiation, the application of
a high amount of UV, including UV-A, UV-B and UV-C, to kill plants
appears to be known. Generally, the energy of a typical atomic bomb
is distributed roughly as 50% blast pressure, 35% as heat, and 15%
as radiation (all types).
[0069] During the two atomic bomb blasts of 1945, the greatest
number of radiation injuries was deemed to be due to ultraviolet
rays. The origination of the ultraviolet rays comes from the
extremely high temperature flash of the initial reaction in the
detonated atomic bomb. These rays cause very severe flash burns and
they were well known to have killed plant life. The radiation comes
in two bursts: an extremely intense "flash" discharge lasting only
3 milliseconds, and a less intense one of longer duration, lasting
several seconds. The second burst contains by far the larger
fraction of total light energy, over ninety percent.
[0070] The first flash or discharge is especially rich in
ultraviolet radiation, which is very biologically destructive. The
total deposition energy of the initial flash alone is such that,
with no time for heat dissipation, the temperature of a person's
skin would have been raised 50 C by the flash of visible and
ultraviolet rays in the first millisecond at a distance of just
under 4000 meters from the blast zone.
[0071] This research was conducted by the Manhattan Atomic Bomb
Investigating Group, formed on 11 Aug. 1945, two days after the
bombing of Nagasaki, via a message from Major General Leslie R.
Groves to Brigadier General Thomas F. Farrell. The biological
effects of high amounts of UV radiation on plant life were
especially obvious and pronounced by examining the aftermath of the
first hydrogen bomb test on the Bikini Atoll.
[0072] Young naval officers on deck of the USS Bairoko witnessed,
while in the Bikini Atoll about 50 km from the hydrogen bomb blast
site, an intense flash followed by a longer radiation burst of some
seconds duration, in turn followed by heavy, warm, blast-driven
winds. The ultraviolet radiation from the flashes was sufficient to
kill fish deep underwater, as evidenced by many varied fish
floating to the surface, with bodies burned on one side or region,
from incident UV rays. The ultraviolet radiation also killed plant
life over a very large area. Various measurements were retained
even though the blast destroyed many instruments that were set up
in permanent buildings to measure it.
[0073] From the standpoint of acceptable efficacity for successful
weed seed control process, all low energy previous prior art
techniques that do not "cook" the seed, employ burning, scalding,
etc., have fallen short and have not been acceptably effective.
Speed of application and overall success rate are very
important.
[0074] Generally, the delivery of natural trauma is not apparently
effective as a bona fide reliable eradication method, because the
plants and their seeds so treated tend to heal and regenerate,
probably as a result of centuries of evolution. The delivery of
illumination trauma in the low energy regime as attempted in the
prior art is similarly not effective. High dosages of radiation
that serve to scald, burn or incinerate a plant or weed seed can
ironically result in regrowth of certain seeds, as the process
resembles a forest fire, addressed by centuries of evolution among
plants. Also, many prior art discoveries regarding application of
artificial radiation to plants often exist ostensibly to serve
another objective, such as benefitting the plant, by stimulating
growth, removing pathogens or insects, etc.
[0075] U.S. Pat. No. 3,652,844 to Scott, Jr., teaches use of a 650
watt 10.6 micron N.sub.2CO.sub.2--He laser, causing immediate
wilting. This is not a safe, low energy, fast, inexpensive method.
The dangers of handling, and that of misguided beams that can
ignite combustibles is significant. By contrast, the illuminations
used in the instant invention only heat and warm up a seed
modestly, such as by 2 C.
[0076] Reference is now made to U.S. Pat. No. 8,872,136, issued 28
Oct. 2014 to Jackson, et. al., application Ser. No. 13/553,79. The
entire disclosure of this prior issued patent, Jackson U.S. Pat.
No. 8,872,136 is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety and its subject matter arises from the same owner and
obligation to assign.
[0077] Reference is also made to US Non-provisional patent
application to Jackson, et al., Ser. No. 16/166,129 filed 21 Oct.
2018. The entire disclosure of this prior filed patent application
Ser. No. 16/166,129, to Jackson et al. is hereby incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety and its subject matter arises
from the same owner and obligation to assign.
[0078] In U.S. Pat. No. 8,872,136 to Jackson et al., a
substantially non-invasive low-energy low irradiance non-mutating
method is taught and claimed for eradicating a plant in a time
under one minute, using a Rapid Unnatural Dual Component
Illumination Protocol (RUDCIP) with illumination about the
plant--but a different method is given from that disclosed and
claimed in the instant disclosure--different aiming, different
wavelengths, and different protocols are given.
[0079] Jackson U.S. Pat. No. 8,872,136 discloses an aimed
above-ground foliage and root crown damage illumination component
comprising exposure using near-IR radiation directed to the foliage
of the plant and/or its root crown--along with an aimed
ground-penetrating UV-A illumination component, with UV-A radiation
directed to the root crown of the plant and/or the soil grade
immediately adjacent the root crown of the plant.
[0080] In the US non-provisional patent application to Jackson, et
al., Ser. No. 16/166,129 filed 21 Oct. 2018, two different aimed
radiations are applied: an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution
to be directed to plant foliage and/or a plant root crown, and a
Medium Wavelength Infrared distribution of light, to be directed to
the ground, to a plant root crown and/or soil immediately adjacent
the root crown. The research was fast moving, somewhat
unpredictable, and revealed that making weed seeds unviable was
fraught with counterintuitive results, and the illumination
protocol taught and claimed here in the instant disclosure is a
different one, superceded by new discoveries taught and claimed
here. The illumination teaching of this disclosure is not aimed,
uses different energies, a different protocol, and the use of an
Indigo Region Illumination Distribution is, strictly speaking, not
required, as can be seen in the appended claims. It is
counterintuitive that a gentle process would work while more
intense methods that might crack or damage a seed coat might not,
which is suggested in the prior art by the practice of
scarification, the weakening or opening of the coat of a seed to
assist germination. The teachings and claims of the instant
disclosure are drawn to a different problem, involving a different
stage of plant life, and achieving a change of state to having
reduced viability in a safe, low energy, practical manner, in the
presence of chaff and confounding materials in a stream of
agricultural tailings, as discussed in the specification below.
[0081] Seeds, in order to germinate, must rapidly create
functioning chloroplasts. Reactive oxygen species may play a role
in whether a seed successfully transitions to a growing plant.
Again, of further interest and relevance in the instant disclosure
are metabolic and signaling processes associated with
photosynthesis and plant regulation, growth and self-protection.
One main organelle, the chloroplast of a developed plant figures
importantly.
[0082] Chloroplasts, the organelles responsible for photosynthesis,
are metabolic generators, contain self-supporting genetic systems,
and they can replicate. They are also highly dynamic and circulate
within plant cells, and their operative metabolic behavior is
strongly influenced by light color and intensity. Plant
chloroplasts are large organelles (typically 5 to 10 microns
(.mu.m) in their longest dimension and comprise a double membrane
chloroplast envelope, and also a third internal envelope, the
thylakoid membrane. The thylakoid membrane forms a network of
flattened thylakoids, which frequently are arranged in stacks.
[0083] It is well known that plants use blue and red light as
primary drivers for photosynthesis, as well as to serve as signals
and alarms for needed internal changes. A plant blue light response
was documented as early as 1881 by Charles Darwin when he
discovered what is now known as the blue light-induced phototropic
response. Commercially available "grow" lamps use blue light as
part of a distribution of wavelengths for maximum growth and
viability. If excess light is given to a plant, stress can
occur.
[0084] Generally, inside chloroplasts, abiotic stresses such as
drought, high light, high temperatures, and salinity induce a
reduction in CO2 takeup, and increased reactive oxygen species
(ROS), which can lead to leaf senescence and yield loss. Plants
have multiple mechanisms to either prevent the formation of ROS or
eliminate them. However, it is important to note that leaf
senescence is not same as plant senescence, dying, or
eradication.
[0085] Reactive oxygen species are eliminated rapidly by internal
antioxidative systems, and the chloroplast uses hydrogen peroxide
levels to regulate thermal dissipation or elimination of excess
light input energy, as managed by known photosynthetic electron
transport mechanisms. Reactive oxygen species are also used to
signal alarms inside plants, to regulate metabolism, gene
expression and other factors to deal with stresses, including
exposure to UV-A radiation. There are other mechanisms that employ
light in plants, such as by various photoreceptors. Phytochromes
are sensitive to red and infrared light and may act as temperature
sensors. Phytochromes regulate the germination of seeds, synthesis
of chlorophyll itself, and growth and development of seedlings, and
onset of flowering. Cryptochromes are flavoproteins that are
respond to blue and UV-A light, and influence circadian rhythms.
Finally, phototropins are flavoproteins that mediate phototropism
responses in higher plants, such as those notably observed by
Charles Darwin in 1881.
[0086] Red light plays a role in many plants but regarding the
instant invention, for making weed seeds unviable, our testing
revealed another counter-intuitive result: red light irradiation
was found not effective, and addition of red wavelengths to the
protocol taught and claimed in the instant disclosure had no
perceptible increase in effectiveness when compared to a control
group.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0087] Accordingly it is a broad aim of this invention to make weed
seeds unviable when those weed seeds are gathered or harvested in
grain production, such as in a harvester combine, surrounded by
chaff and debris and confounding materials.
[0088] It is another object of this invention to allow for
treatment fast enough not to substantially slow down the operation
of a harvester combine, that may be generating a high mass of
tailings.
[0089] It is another object of this invention that weed seeds can
be made unviable under typical field operating environments, and in
the presence of confounding materials also collected at harvest
under high speed operation.
[0090] It is yet another object of this invention to operate below
combustion temperatures so as not to start a flash fire, such as in
the interior of a combine, rendering it destroyed.
[0091] It is yet a further object of this invention to make weed
seeds made unviable just by themselves, as a foodstuff to prevent
germination.
[0092] Other objects of this invention not given above will become
clear from further reading of the specification.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0093] A different, subtle but effective way to effect a change of
state to having reduced germination viability of seeds, and weed
seeds in particular has been discovered, using optical and
thermal/optical trauma with unexpectedly low input energy and short
exposure times using safe radiation. The invention allows reduction
of viability for germination prior to discharging weed seeds back
onto an agricultural field, reducing the weed seed bank and it uses
a combination of irradiances not taught or suggested by the prior
art in dealing with seeds, which are robust and can ordinarily
otherwise retain viability for years or decades.
[0094] The instant invention appears remarkably effective and uses
a dual available component, low energy, unnatural set of
irradiances, in a tight, fast and safe protocol of under one minute
duration with an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution of light
and a specific Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation possible in any
combination, with minimal energy needed and with no cooking or
burning of weed seeds.
[0095] The invention has exposure options and material handling
options critical for success as seeds must be introduced into a
processing theater for proper exposure to the illumination.
[0096] The invention can be used as a tool to combat
herbicide-resistant weeds, and it can be used to equip multi-class
combines to reduce weed seed viability during harvest operations,
within a tight harvest window or time range.
[0097] The invention comprises a high speed, substantially
non-invasive, low-irradiance method to induce a change of state of
a seed (S) to having reduced germination viability in a time under
one minute, the method comprising illuminating the seed to achieve
a minimum of at least one of 2/3 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination
energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance, of a light wavelength
distribution comprising at least one of an Indigo Region
Illumination Distribution (IRID) and Medium Wavelength Infrared
(MWIR)) radiation.
[0098] The also invention comprises a method which can comprise any
of [A], [B], [C] and [D]: [0099] [A] a course of exposure for weed
seeds with damaged coats (Sd), comprising illuminating the seed to
achieve a minimum of at least one of 2/3 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative
illumination energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance; [0100] [B] a
course of exposure for weed seeds with damaged coats and chaff
(Sdc), comprising illuminating the seed to achieve a minimum of at
least one of 2/3 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination energy, and
0.06 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance; [0101] [C] a course of exposure for
weed seeds with intact coats (S), comprising illuminating the seed
to achieve a minimum of at least one of 1 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative
illumination energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance; [0102] [D] a
course of exposure for weed seeds with intact coats and chaff (Sc),
comprising illuminating the seed to achieve a minimum of at least
one of 4 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination energy, and 0.06
W/cm.sup.2 irradiance.
[0103] One part of the discovery made was that in providing the
Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation, particular types of heated
glass, especially heated borosilicate glass (Pyrex) in particular,
were more effective than other sources for making seeds unviable
for germination. The borosilicate glass was held at just under 500
C (773 K), with a Wens Displacement Law peak emission of just under
(2898/773=3.75 microns).
[0104] The invention can also include exposure options:
[0105] The invention can use Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation
from 2-20 microns wavelength but more preferably includes
substantially wavelengths ranging from 2 to 8 microns.
Photoreceptors in the human eye have low sensitivity to this type
of infrared radiation, and it is present in sunlight with very low
spectral intensity.
[0106] The invention can also use a Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution that includes substantially wavelengths ranging from
400 to 500 nanometers.
[0107] The method can employ a relative distribution where the
light wavelength distribution is proportioned to be between 6 and
30 percent Indigo Region Illumination Distribution.
[0108] The invention can comprise illuminating the seed to achieve
a minimum of at least one of 2 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination
energy, and 0.2 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance.
[0109] The invention can also comprise a method wherein the Medium
Wavelength Infrared radiation originates at least in part from any
of from borosilicate glass, Pyrex.RTM. Glass Code 7740, soda lime
glass, and aluminum oxide ceramic. The Medium Wavelength Infrared
radiation can originate at least in part from an MWIR emitter (E+),
wherein the MWIR emitter comprises a powder coat, and that powder
coat can comprise any of borosilicate glass, Pyrex.RTM. Glass Code
7740, soda lime glass, and also aluminum oxide ceramic.
[0110] The invention also includes a high speed, substantially
non-invasive, low-irradiance method with similar exposure options
to treat a seed (S) in a processing theater (4) that receives at
least part of a tailing flow in a harvesting process, so as to
induce a change of state of the seed to having reduced germination
viability in a time under one minute, with the method comprising
transporting the seed to and from the processing theater; and
illuminating the seed while in the processing theater to achieve a
minimum of at least one of 2/3 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination
energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance, of a light wavelength
distribution comprising at least one of an Indigo Region
Illumination Distribution (IRID) and Medium Wavelength Infrared
(MWIR)) radiation.
[0111] The method can also include the following material handling
options and be such that transporting the seed to and from the
processing theater comprises transporting the seed to and from a
weed seed accumulator (3), or alternatively, to and from a moving
weed seed accumulator belt 3Z, 3ZE, 3Z8, 3ZE8); or alternatively,
transporting the seed to and from a transmissive weed seed
accumulator belt (3Z8), and wherein at least a portion of the
illuminating the seed comprises passing at least some of the Indigo
Region Illumination Distribution of the light wavelength
distribution through the transmissive weed seed accumulator belt;
or alternatively still, transporting the seed to and from a radiant
weed seed accumulator belt (3ZE), and wherein at least a portion of
the illuminating the seed comprises generating at least some of the
Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation of the light wavelength
distribution from heating of, and thermal emission from, the
radiant weed seed accumulator belt itself.
[0112] The method can also be such that transporting the seed to
and from the processing theater comprises transporting the seed to
and from a radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator belt
(3Z8E), and wherein illuminating the seed comprises passing at
least some of the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution of the
light wavelength distribution through the radiant and transmissive
weed seed accumulator belt, and wherein illuminating the seed also
comprises generating at least some of the Medium Wavelength
Infrared radiation of the light wavelength distribution from
heating of, and thermal emission from, the radiant and transmissive
weed seed accumulator belt itself.
[0113] The method can also include air assist and be such that
transporting the seed to and from the processing theater comprises
transporting the seed to and from a weed seed accumulator belt
(3Z), and further comprises harvest handling by assembly and
retention of the seed on a first portion of the weed seed
accumulator belt, and expulsion of the seed from a second portion
of the weed seed accumulator belt, by driving at least one of air
flow and fluid flow through the belt, with the at least one of air
flow and fluid flow so positioned to create a vacuum to assist in
the assembly and retention at the first portion, and a positive
pressure to assist in the expulsion at the second portion.
[0114] The invention can also include an illuminated harvester
combine process with similar exposure and material handling options
and comprising any of reaping (REAPER), threshing (THRESHER), and
separating (SEPARATOR) a harvest to form tailings flow (TAILINGS);
and further comprising illuminating the tailings flow, the
illuminating comprising a high speed, substantially non-invasive,
low-irradiance method to treat a seed (S) in a processing theater
(4) that receives at least part of the tailing flow so as to induce
a change of state of the seed to having reduced germination
viability in a time under one minute, the method comprising
transporting the seed to and from the processing theater; and
illuminating the seed while in the processing theater to achieve a
minimum of at least one of 2/3 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination
energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance, of a light wavelength
distribution comprising at least one of an Indigo Region
Illumination Distribution (IRID) and Medium Wavelength Infrared
(MWIR)) radiation. This process can also be such that the
processing theater that receives at least part of the tailing flow
comprises an auger elevator.
[0115] The invention also includes a radiant weed seed accumulator
belt (3ZE, 3ZE8) for illuminating a seed to induce a state of
reduced germination viability in a time under one minute, the
radiant weed seed accumulator belt so constructed and so formed to
comprise an MWIR emitter (E), in turn so formed, composed and
positioned to emit Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation by heating
of, and thermal emission from, at least a portion of the radiant
weed seed accumulator belt itself. That MWIR emitter also can be so
composed to enable the above exposure options.
[0116] The radiant weed seed accumulator belt can also be so
constructed and formed to allow a light wavelength distribution
comprising an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID to pass
through the radiant weed seed accumulator belt to allow
transmission of the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution to the
seed, and thus becoming a radiant and transmissive weed seed
accumulator belt (3ZE8).
[0117] The radiant weed seed accumulator belt can also comprise a
plurality of links so formed, linked, positioned and optically
composed to allow the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution to be
transmitted link-to-link and also to be emitted from the plurality
of links to impinge upon the seed.
[0118] The invention can include an illuminated harvester combine
comprising any of a reaper (REAPER), a thresher (THRESHER), and a
separator stage (SEPARATOR), so formed to produce a tailings flow
(TAILINGS); and further comprising an illumination unit
(ILLUMINATOR/IE8/IE4) to illuminate the tailings flow, the
illumination unit so formed to allow treating a seed (S) in a
processing theater (4) that receives at least part of the tailing
flow so as to induce a change of state of the seed to having
reduced germination viability in a time under one minute, and the
illumination unit comprising at least one of a MWIR emitter E and a
IRID emitter 88, and further so formed, positioned and energized to
allow illuminating the seed while in the processing theater to
achieve a minimum of at least one of 2/3 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative
illumination energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance, of a light
wavelength distribution comprising at least one of an Indigo Region
Illumination Distribution (IRID) and Medium Wavelength Infrared
(MWIR)) radiation. This illuminated harvester can include the above
exposure options and material handling options, and can also be
such that the processing theater that receives at least part of the
tailing flow comprises an auger elevator.
[0119] The invention also includes a compact configuration
agricultural illumination unit (ILLUMINATOR/IE8/IE4), the
illumination unit so formed to allow treating a seed (S) in a
processing theater (4) that receives at least part of a tailing
flow (TAILINGS) so as to induce a change of state of the seed to
having reduced germination viability in a time under one minute,
and the illumination unit comprising at least one of a MWIR emitter
E and a IRID emitter 88, and further so formed, positioned and
energized to allow illuminating the seed while in the processing
theater to achieve a minimum of at least one of 2/3 J/cm.sup.2
cumulative illumination energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance, of
a light wavelength distribution comprising an Indigo Region
Illumination Distribution (IRID) and Medium Wavelength Infrared
(MWIR)) radiation, with the MWIR emitter E and IRID emitter 88 so
further sized, positioned, formed and assembled to allow that a
substantial portion of the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution
passes through the MWIR emitter E itself to be directed at the
seed. This can include the above exposure options and material
handling options, as applicable.
[0120] The invention also includes a harvest (Q), such as food,
having undergone an illumination-induced change of state to having
reduced germination viability in a time under one minute,
comprising at least one seed (S), after being subjected to
illumination to achieve a minimum of at least one of 2/3 J/cm.sup.2
cumulative illumination energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance, of
a light wavelength distribution comprising at least one of an
Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID) and Medium
Wavelength Infrared (MWIR)) radiation. Treatment of the harvest can
include the above exposure and material handling options as
applicable.
[0121] The invention can also include an illuminated seed
destruction mill to damage a seed (S) in a damage process, the
illuminated seed destruction mill comprising a seed destruction
mill (SEED DESTRUCTION MILL) so formed, sized, and operated for at
least one of fragmentation and damage to a seed; an illumination
unit (ILLUMINATOR/IE8/IE4) so sized, positioned, operated,
deployed, and energized to illuminate the seed proximate to the
damage process, in a processing theater (4) proximate the damage
process; with the illumination unit comprising at least one of a
MWIR emitter (E) and a IRID emitter (88), and further so formed,
positioned and energized to allow illuminating the seed while in
the processing theater to achieve a minimum of at least one of 2/3
J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2
irradiance, of a light wavelength distribution comprising at least
one of an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID) and Medium
Wavelength Infrared (MWIR)) radiation. This can also include the
above exposure options as applicable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0122] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a general
electromagnetic spectrum for wavelengths potentially incident from
the sun, with wavelengths ranging from 1 mm to less than 100
nm;
[0123] FIG. 2 shows a typical natural filtered and unfiltered solar
radiation spectrum using a cartesian plot of spectral radiance
versus wavelength;
[0124] FIG. 3 shows a partial schematic representation of a class
of prior art plant eradication using incineration via various large
infrared radiative transfers;
[0125] FIGS. 4 and 5 show partial cross sectional, partial surface
views of a plant in soil, with a root structure in soil, with
regrowth after a typical large infrared radiative transfer as
depicted in FIG. 3;
[0126] FIGS. 6 and 7 show together one typical class of prior art
eradication processes or occurrences whereby extreme ultraviolet
light induced trauma is delivered with a large energy UV radiative
transfer via general illumination or flash onto a naturally grown
species Digitaria sanguinalis rooted into a soil grade;
[0127] FIG. 8 shows a part surface view, part oblique cutout view
of major components of an illustrative agricultural seed;
[0128] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of certain illustrative
components of a dicot;
[0129] FIG. 10 shows a basic view of a seed after germination and
emergence of a radicle;
[0130] FIG. 11 shows a basic illustrative surface view of an intact
weed seed;
[0131] FIG. 12 shows a basic illustrative surface view of a damaged
weed seed;
[0132] FIG. 13 shows a basic illustrative surface view of an
damaged weed seed with accompanying chaff;
[0133] FIG. 14 shows a basic illustrative surface view of an intact
weed seed with accompanying chaff;
[0134] FIG. 15 shows a schematic representation of a process
according to the invention to induce a change of state of seeds or
weed seeds to having reduced germination viability using a dual
component illumination protocol shown schematically for two
portions of the electromagnetic spectrum as shown in FIG. 1 being
directed upon seeds resting upon any surface;
[0135] FIG. 16 shows a close-up view of the bottom portion of FIG.
15, showing incident rays for an Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution and a Medium Wavelength Infrared illumination
distribution aimed at a seeds under transport by a moving belt in a
processing theater;
[0136] FIG. 17 shows a schematic of a tailings conversion process
according to the invention, whereby either or both of Medium
Wavelength Infrared and light from an Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution are used to induce a change of state to reduced
germination viability;
[0137] FIG. 18 shows an illustrative weed seed accumulator belt
that comprises pores or the like;
[0138] FIG. 19 shows a transmissive weed seed accumulator belt for
use in a processing theater according to the invention;
[0139] FIG. 20 shows a cartesian plot of relative optical
absorption and photochemical efficiency for a plant as a function
of wavelength from 400 to 700 nm, and showing absorption for
Chlorophyl a and Chlorophyl b;
[0140] FIG. 21 shows the cartesian plot of FIG. 20, with a
superimposed span of an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution
shown;
[0141] FIG. 22 shows a schematic representation across the range of
300 nm to 550 nm for an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution,
with various illustrative possible distribution patterns;
[0142] FIGS. 23 and 24 show cross-sectional representations of an
illustrative proximity pass-through configuration illuminator
according to the invention;
[0143] FIG. 25 shows three illustrative cartesian plots of spectral
density versus wavelength for three possible Medium Wavelength
Infrared light sources for use by the instant invention;
[0144] FIG. 26 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a Medium
Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) emitter that employs an emissive powder
coat for enhanced emission;
[0145] FIG. 27 shows a schematic depicting separate MWIR and IRID
sources to irradiate a seed according to the invention;
[0146] FIG. 28 shows a logarithmic cartesian plot representation of
Illumination Wavelength versus Total Illumination Irradiance
indicated by closed figure for a typical illustrative approximate
regime of operation for the instant invention applied to a weed
seed, using an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution and a Medium
Wavelength Infrared illumination distribution, with contrast shown
to the prior art high radiative transfer depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7,
shown on this plot in closed figure;
[0147] FIG. 29 shows a listing of operative attributes for a class
of prior art large radiative and large UV radiative transfers as
depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7;
[0148] FIG. 30 shows an illustrative schematic silhouette of a
prior art combine harvester with three functions, reaper, thresher
and separator shown as functional blocks;
[0149] FIG. 31 shows partial internal rough surface view of
separation stage of a prior art combine harvester, with air-blown
tailings flow emerging above a lower sieve;
[0150] FIG. 32 shows a cross-sectional schematic of a harvest of
seeds and chaff under direct illumination atop a weed seed
accumulator belt according to the invention;
[0151] FIG. 33 shows a cross-sectional schematic similar to that
shown in FIG. 32, but using a radiant weed seed accumulator
belt;
[0152] FIG. 34 shows a cross-sectional schematic similar to that
shown in FIG. 33, but using a transmissive weed seed accumulator
belt;
[0153] FIG. 35 shows a cross-sectional schematic similar to that
shown in FIG. 34, but depicting a radiant and transmissive weed
seed accumulator belt;
[0154] FIG. 36 shows the cross-sectional schematic of FIG. 35,
additionally comprising a heat source to heat the radiant and
transmissive weed seed accumulator belt;
[0155] FIG. 37 shows a cross sectional depiction of a radiant and
transmissive weed seed accumulator belt with transmitting
links;
[0156] FIGS. 38 and 39 show side and top cross sectional views,
respectively, of one link of the radiant and transmissive weed seed
accumulator belt depicted in FIG. 37, with partial width
input/output light reflectors shown;
[0157] FIG. 40 shows the radiant and transmissive weed seed
accumulator belt of FIG. 37, showing an illustrative effective
light distribution from a IRID emitter;
[0158] FIG. 41 shows the radiant and transmissive weed seed
accumulator belt of FIG. 37, showing illustrative links opening
upon rounding a curve;
[0159] FIG. 42 shows a simple weed seed accumulator providing
transport in a processing theater according to one embodiment of
the invention;
[0160] FIG. 43 shows a harvest layer array of harvest to be treated
according to the instant invention upon a radiant and transmissive
weed seed accumulator belt;
[0161] FIG. 44 shows a cross-sectional view of a possible compact
illuminator according to the invention;
[0162] FIGS. 45 and 46 show oblique surface views of the compact
illuminator depicted in FIG. 44;
[0163] FIG. 47 shows a cross-sectional view of an illuminated
external wrap radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator belt
forming an illumination unit according to the invention, and
featuring air suction through the belt to attract a harvest to be
treated, and air expulsion through the belt to expel treated
harvest;
[0164] FIG. 48 shows the cross-sectional view of an illuminated
external wrap radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator belt
forming an illumination unit according to the invention of FIG. 47,
in a partial close-up view;
[0165] FIG. 49 shows the cross-sectional view of an illuminated
external wrap radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator belt
forming an illumination unit according to the invention of FIG. 48,
in a further magnified close-up view;
[0166] FIGS. 50 and 51 show oblique surface views of the
illumination unit of FIGS. 47-49, with FIG. 50 featuring a drawing
figure cutout to show interior components normally hidden;
[0167] FIG. 52 shows a schematic of the elements of an illumination
unit according to the invention;
[0168] FIG. 53 shows an illustrative schematic silhouette of a
combine harvester similar to that shown in FIG. 30, additionally
comprising an illuminator or illumination unit, shown as functional
block, according to the invention;
[0169] FIG. 54 shows a cartesian plot of an illustrative seed
temperature rise versus seconds during illumination according to
the invention;
[0170] FIG. 55 shows a possible embodiment of the invention
comprising an illuminator inside an open processing theater volume
placed in the separation stage of a combine harvester as shown in
FIG. 31;
[0171] FIG. 56 shows the illuminator of FIG. 55, in close-up
schematic cross-sectional view;
[0172] FIG. 57 shows an illustrative interior volume inside the
open processing theater volume shown in FIG. 55, with air-blown
tailings flow;
[0173] FIG. 58 shows an illuminated auger transport device to treat
harvest according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0174] FIG. 59 shows a prior art seed destruction mill for treating
harvest, including weed seeds; and
[0175] FIG. 60 shows the seed destruction mill of FIG. 59
comprising various possible illuminators and associated processing
theaters, to treat harvest according to the invention.
DEFINITIONS
[0176] The following definitions shall be used throughout:
[0177] Auger--shall include any helical component that effects
movement of material, and any component that accomplishes the same
function. A spiral-shaped component is not necessary and nor is a
spiral path.
[0178] Belt--shall include any structure or material body that can
serve as a web, conveyor, or transporter to facilitate illumination
according to the invention. A belt that forms a processing theater
can serve as a weed seed accumulator as defined here, and can
itself also act as a radiator or transmitter of electromagnetic
radiation as taught and claimed in the instant disclosure.
[0179] Chaff--shall include any of dry, scaly, or protective
casings or coverings of seeds, such as parchment or endocarp-like
coverings, husks or bracts; scaly parts of flowers; straw or finely
chopped straw, and husks, stems, other debris connected to a plant,
crop, foodstuff or harvest as defined here; and can also include
stems, grass, leaves, sticks, heads of plants such as wheat head;
attached soil, and field debris.
[0180] Change of state to having reduced germination
viability--shall connote primarily a statistical attribute, namely,
a decrease in the percentage of seeds capable of later producing
growing plants for a given set of environmental conditions.
[0181] Coat/seed coat--shall denote casings, or other plant
material surrounding a seed
[0182] Combine--shall be any machine that reaps, threshes and
separates a harvest, as defined herein.
[0183] Damaged--as in damaged seed coat, shall refer to any
material damage or degradation of a seed coat or a portion thereof,
including punctures, dents, deep scratches, deformations, or
significant abrasions.
[0184] Directed, directing--shall denote any net transmission of
electromagnetic radiation as taught and claimed here, whether by
direct illumination or via reflection or indirect transmission,
such as via use of mirrors, light guides, via refraction, or
incidental reflection or absorption and re-transmission through any
material body, or through a chaff under treatment, or a seed
adjacent to a seed under treatment, such as light passing between
or through one or more seeds to another seed.
[0185] Field--shall include any agricultural surface, whether
outside or inside a greenhouse or growing facility, and also any
surface or place upon which the instant invention is practiced.
[0186] Germination viability--in this disclosure shall can be
expressed as, and shall denote, unless otherwise stated, the
percentage of seeds capable of later producing growing plants for a
given set of environmental conditions.
[0187] Harvest--shall denote any agricultural product or biological
material treated using the teachings of the invention, such as a
harvest on a field or any reaping of live plants, whether
considered a foodstuff or not; and also any biological product or
material arrayed for treatment according to the instant invention.
Harvest, as defined here, shall also include any agricultural
product or crops or plants that have been reaped, cut, rolled,
burned, tamped, shredded, or otherwise manipulated or treated by
means other than by use of the instant invention.
[0188] Heater/Heating--shall include all thermal production and
transfer, from any heat source, via contact or conduction;
convection; or radiation.
[0189] Illumination--shall be interpreted broadly and shall include
all manner of radiative processes as defined by the appended
claims, and shall not be limited to lamp outputs, but rather shall
encompass any and all radiation afforded by physical processes such
as incandescence or any light emission process such as from a light
emitting diode (LED); flames; or incandescence from hot masses,
such as gases, fluids, steam, metal knives or hot infrared
emitters--and can encompass multiple sources. Lamps shown
illustratively in this disclosure shall not be considered limiting,
in view of the appended claims.
[0190] Illuminator--shall denote light sources as taught herein for
practicing the instant invention.
[0191] IRID/Indigo Region Illumination Distribution--shall denote a
preferred range of frequencies, such as emitted by commercially
available blue LED (light emitting diode) light sources with
emission peaks named "royal blue" that denote a possible range of
wavelengths that serve the instant invention. This definition shall
include an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution to be defined to
be any of the following wavelength ranges: [0192] [1] A preferred
range: 420-450 nm; [2] a larger preferred range of 420-480 nm; [3]
a larger preferred range of 400-500 nm; [4] a yet larger preferred
range of 400-550 nm; [5] and a broad range of 300-550 nm. This
"indigo band" does not have to include indigo or blue or any
particular "color" and does not have to include wavelengths in the
preferred range of--wavelengths of 420-450 nm that are commonly
assigned to indigo or near indigo as human perceptions. The
addition of light for any reason, including for a trademark or
appearance effect, e.g., aquamarine, shall not affect this
definition. An Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID can
include monochromatic, multichromatic frequency/wavelength lines or
bands, continuous or non-continuous distributions, and
distributions that comprise one of more emission lines, or
distributions that are absent the general wavelength or frequency
for which it is named, i.e., a distribution that is absent
wavelengths generally given for indigo, that is, absent
approximately 420-450 nm. Metamerism and the response of the human
visual system to identify or form color perceptions shall not
narrow this definition.
[0193] IRID Emitter (88)--shall denote any light producing device
that has the requisite electromagnetic output properties to help
produce an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID that allows
service to the instant invention as described in the appended
claims, and can be an LED array IRID emitter 88, a laser, or an
excited material body. An IRID emitter and a MWIR emitter can be
combined into one body or component, or device.
[0194] Medium Wavelength Infrared--MWIR--has been variously defined
by different international organizational bodies, sometimes using
different terms. For example In the CIE division scheme
(International Commission on Illumination), CIE recommended the
division of infrared radiation into the following three bands using
letter abbreviations: IR-A, from 700 nm-1400 nm (0.7 .mu.m-1.4
.mu.m); IR-B, from 1400 nm-3000 nm (1.4 .mu.m-3 .mu.m); and IR--C
from 3000 nm-1 mm (3 .mu.m-1000 .mu.m). ISO (International
Organization for Standardization) established a standard, IS020473
that defines the term mid-IR to mean radiation with wavelengths
from 3-50 nm. In common literature infrared generally has been
divided into near infrared (0.7 to 1.4 microns IRA, IR-A DIN),
short wavelength infrared (SWIR or 1.4-3.0 microns IR-B DIN),
mid-wavelength (or medium wavelength) infrared at 3-8 microns (MWIR
or mid IR 3-8 microns IR-C DIN) to long wavelength infrared (LWIR,
IR-C DIN) 8-15 microns to far infrared 15-1000 microns. In this
disclosure, throughout the specification, drawings and in the
appended claims, MWIR in particular shall have a meaning assigned,
and the wavelengths for MWIR shall span from 2-20 microns, and with
preferred embodiments in a range of 2-8 microns and sometimes more
preferably in a range of 3-5 microns. Source emissions can include
emissions from an MWIR emitter E that is formed from materials with
known emissivity functions useful in service of the invention, such
as known borosilicate glass.
[0195] Mill/milling--shall include comminution or damage by
grinding, pressing, crushing, cutting or splitting, and shall
include percussive or impact processes, and any processing that
pulverizes, reduces to powders, fractures, or otherwise comminutes
or damages.
[0196] MWIR Emitter (E)--shall denote any glass or material body
that has the requisite optical properties or electromagnetic
emissivity properties that allow service to the instant invention
as described in the appended claims. This can include glass known
under the trade name Pyrex.RTM. such as borosilicate glass, which
is preferred, or Pyrex Glass Code 7740, as well as Pyrex soda lime
glass or other materials, such as aluminum oxide ceramic. Any
material body which serves the invention with useful emissivity as
an MWIR emitter when stimulated, excited, or heated shall meet this
definition. An IRID emitter and a MWIR emitter can be combined into
one body or component.
[0197] Minute of total operation/time under one minute--shall
denote a process of illumination that shall include stepwise,
piecemeal, segmented, separated, sequential, variable, or modulated
exposures that when totaled, have a summed duration or the
equivalent of under one minute, such as four 10-second
exposures/flashes over a three minute time, or four 1/4 second
flashes in one hour.
[0198] Motion/in motion--shall include all generally moving states
of a harvest, including [1] continuous motion; [2] stepwise motion
that can include pauses, starts and stops, or even has
reversals--in any combination; and motion induced by vibratory
elements or supports that cause a harvest to generally progress,
but not always progress, in space
[0199] Non-invasive--shall include the attributes of not requiring
stabbing, cutting, striking or significant mechanical stressing,
except for contact with hot bodies or hot fluids such as hot gases
or steam when used as a thermal equivalent of Medium Wavelength
Infrared radiation as taught here.
[0200] Powder coat--shall include any and all coverings, coatings,
surface treatments, appliques, and depositions to a surface,
including using materials as disclosed, such as borosilicate glass,
Pyrex.RTM. Glass Code 7740, soda lime glass, aluminum oxide
ceramic.
[0201] Process--such as referred to in the instant disclosure and
appended claims, including referring to a processing theater, can
be a process as taught herein that is continuous in time, or
non-continuous, including piecewise, piecemeal, stepped,
interrupted or delayed application of the methods of the instant
invention, and shall also refer to any process for which at least
portion of which occurs in real time.
[0202] Processing theater--shall comprise any physical area,
surface, belt, auger, conveyor, panel, web, screen, mesh, volume or
space which facilitates, provides for, or allows illumination
according to the instant invention and as described in the
specification and appended claims, including any wind tunneling
region, auger passage, sorting area, staging area, table,
accumulator or harvest flow manifold used for processing of a
harvest. In this sense, a processing theater can, but does not have
to, include a mechanical or physical belt. It can instead comprise
an transport area, region, structure, or material body where
sorting, collecting, threshing, reaping, parking, consolidating,
separating, resting, or landing of a harvest or processing product
treatable by the instant invention occurs. The processing theater
can also be situated upon, or proximate to, any field as defined in
this disclosure.
[0203] Reaper/reaping--shall include any cutting or gathering
process taking place on a field to input, gather, pull, or remove
biological matter for treatment according to the instant
invention.
[0204] Seed--shall include any embryonic plants, or encased plant
embyros; agricultural products; and any other biological material
such as microbiota, animals, fungi, and bacteria that are
susceptible to, or treatable using the instant invention in the
manner disclosed in the specification and appended claims. This
definition shall apply even with assistance from natural processes
that weaken seed coats or can otherwise assist with germination,
such as sunlight exposure, heat of a fire, moisture exposure or
water immersion, history of passing through an animal's digestive
tract, or extreme and seasonal swings in ambient natural
temperature or natural light levels.
[0205] Seed coat--shall include any protective outer coat of a
seed, whether continuously covering the seed, or not; and whether
it is hard or soft, pliable or hard, peelable or not easily
peelable, and whether of uniform thickness, or having thickness
bumps or gaps or thin spots. Seed destruction mill--shall refer to
any process or device which damages seeds, including comminution or
damage by grinding, pressing, crushing, cutting or splitting,
percussive or impact processes, and any processing that pulverizes,
reduces to powders, fractures, or otherwise comminutes or
damages.
[0206] Tailing/tailings--shall include MOG (Material Other than
Grain) and chaff as defined here, and other material that remains
after attempted separation of a cash crop or desired grain or seed,
from other materials, including undesirable weed seeds and
volunteer seeds. Tailings can also include any harvest as defined
here, and can be subject to processing according to the instant
invention, including any material in an elevator or auger.
[0207] Viability/viable--can refer to the capability of a seed of
germination under any of suitable, optimum, and sub-optimum
conditions. Germination is marked by the development of a plant
embryo, and subsequent growth. Viability in this disclosure can be
expressed as the percentage of seeds capable of producing plants
for a given set of conditions.
[0208] Weed seed--shall include any seed (as defined in this
section), or portion thereof, treated according to the instant
invention, including volunteer crop seeds, cash crops, and cover
crops, and shall include any internal structures like the embryo,
endosperm, and seed coat of such seeds.
[0209] Weed seed accumulator--shall include any belt, structure,
material body or space that can serve to mechanically retain,
support, or transport seeds, that forms a processing theater as
defined in this section and throughout this disclosure
illustratively. Weed seeds can be in motion across, upon or through
a weed seed accumulator and can be retained by same in continuous,
intermittent, paused or varied motion. A weed seed accumulator can
also accommodate, retain or support chaff without departing from
this definition. It is contemplated that an air pressure
differential or an air flow can help weed seeds be retained or
supported by, and later expelled by, a weed seed accumulator.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0210] Referring now to FIG. 8, a part surface view, part oblique
cutout view of major components of an illustrative agricultural
seed are shown. Seed S is shown comprising an endosperm
(ENDOSPERM), a food store for a later developing plant embryo; a
germ (GERM) or embryo of the seed; and an outer coat (COAT) which
figures importantly in the exposures taught and claimed in this
disclosure. Typical sizes for seed S range from 0.025 inch (0.6 mm)
to 0.25 inches (6.4 mm).
[0211] Referring now to FIG. 9, a cross-sectional view of some
illustrative components of a dicot (dicotyledon) are shown. A dicot
is shown illustratively, possessing a radicle (RADICLE), which is
typically the first part of the seed that emerges upon germination.
As the embryonic root of the plant, it supports the hypocotyl
(HYPOCOTYL) as shown, which essentially acts as an embryonic stem
of the seed S that would emerge upon germination. Attached to this
embryonic stem are two leaves as shown.
[0212] This disclosure relates to seeds of all types, among them
monocotyldons and dicotyledons. Monocotyledons (associated with one
seed leaf, not shown) and dicotlydons (associated with two seed
leaves, shown attached to the radicle) differ in early seedling
development. In monocotyledons, a primary root is protected by a
coating, a coleorhiza, which ejects itself to yield to allow
seedling leaves to appear, which are in turn protected by another
coating, a coleoptile. With dicotyledons a primary root radicle
grows, anchoring the seedling to the ground, and further growth of
leaves occurs. Either way, germination is marked by the growth and
development of the radicle, and allowing the full development of a
healthy plant.
[0213] Referring now to FIG. 10, a basic view of a seed after
germination and emergence of a radicle is shown. This is an
elongation, as shown, of the embryonic axis from seed allowing
subsequent seedling emergence.
[0214] The teachings of the instant invention include specific
protocols recommended from the findings of new research that tailor
the protocol to seeds of various status types.
[0215] Referring now to FIG. 11, a basic illustrative surface view
of an intact weed seed S is shown. As can be seen, the seed is
essentially in original, undamaged condition. There is no
significant material damage or degradation of the seed coat or any
portion, including punctures, dents, deep scratches, deformations,
or significant abrasions.
[0216] Now referring to FIG. 12, a basic illustrative surface view
of an damaged weed seed Sd is shown. As can be seen in the Figure,
damage (DAMAGE) is evident, as a deep dent and associated
deformation, when compared to the seed S of FIG. 11. This can be
the result of use of a seed destruction mill or other process,
including any process that involves comminution or damage by
grinding, pressing, crushing, cutting or splitting, or percussive
or impact processes, and any processing that pulverizes, reduces to
powders, fractures, or otherwise comminutes or damages.
[0217] Now referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, basic illustrative surface
views of an damaged weed seed with accompanying chaff Sdc, and an
undamaged Seed with accompanying chaff Sc, respectively, are shown.
Dent/deformation damage (DAMAGE) is again shown for FIG. 13, along
with a wisp-like structural chaff (CHAFF, shown later in this
disclosure as KK). This chaff can be dry, scaly, or protective
casings or coverings of seeds, such as parchment or endocarp-like
coverings. The definition for chaff above is more broad and covers
other confounding materials.
[0218] Now referring to FIG. 15, a schematic representation of a
process according to the invention is shown using a dual component
illumination protocol shown schematically for two portions of the
electromagnetic spectrum (as shown in FIG. 1) being directed upon
seeds and chaff resting upon any surface, to induce a change of
state of those seeds to having reduced germination viability in the
statistical sense. The illumination load is shown illustratively as
a harvest comprising chaff and other materials together resting
upon a belt shown, but the materials can rest upon any surface,
such as a ground/earth plane or soil, a stainless steel pan or
reflector bed, etc. In this protocol, this high speed,
substantially non-invasive, low-irradiance method for changing the
state of a seed is accomplished in a time under one minute.
[0219] Described very briefly and qualitatively, the method
comprises: [0220] [1] illuminating a seed to achieve a minimum of
at least one of 2/3 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination energy, and
0.06 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance, of a light wavelength distribution
comprising at least one of an Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution (IRID) and Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR))
radiation. As will be discussed below, the protocol calls for an
Indigo Region Illumination Distribution containing substantially
wavelengths ranging from 300 to 550 nm, preferably 400 to 500 nm;
and a Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation substantially composed
of 2 to 20 micron wavelength radiation, preferably 2 to 8 microns.
A preferred energy threshold and irradiance threshold that
satisfies but goes beyond the above comprises illuminating the seed
to achieve a minimum of at least one of 2 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative
illumination energy, and 0.2 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance.
[0221] Now referring to FIG. 16, a close-up view of the bottom
portion of FIG. 15 is shown, depicting incident rays for an Indigo
Region Illumination Distribution and a Medium Wavelength Infrared
illumination distribution aimed at the seeds under transport by a
moving belt or weed seed accumulator belt 3Z, in a processing
theater. This type of illumination protocol is further developed
below with specific light source information and represents a
departure from the prior art. The method discovered helps provide a
wholesale change, quickly, in the number of seed post-process that
successfully germinate and grow, an unanticipated finding.
[0222] As seen in the Figure, belt motion (BELT MOTION) effects
illustratively a transport of what amount to tailings to the right
in the Figure (shown, TRANSPORT) and this process makes it
practical for the first time for use in automated equipment such as
combines to convert the state of agricultural tailings
generally.
[0223] Referring now to FIG. 17, depicted is a schematic of the
tailings conversion process according to the invention, as shown in
FIGS. 15 and 16, whereby either or both of Medium Wavelength
Infrared and light from an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution
are used to induce a change of state to reduced germination
viablity to one or more seeds directly. In the Figure, a seed S is
shown undergoing after illumination a change of state to having
reduced germination viability, represented by S', a "new" seed that
statistically, is less likely to germinate when considered among a
statistical ensemble of seeds, such as found in the tailings of an
agricultural process, or in a grain silo or other container holding
seeds. In this sense, the invention as taught and claimed here can
be used as a supplemental treatment for foodstuffs prior to
packaging, containment, distribution, or further food
processing.
[0224] Now referring to FIG. 18, an illustrative weed seed
accumulator belt 3Z or mat that comprises pores or the like is
shown. To establish a processing theater to practice the
invention--and for materials and tailings handling, generally--such
belts have proven useful. A plurality of pores (pore) as shown can
act to retain seeds for illumination, and the weed seed accumulator
belt 3Z can allow passage of light and air. Ideal mat or belt
thickness can be 3-6 mm (1/8'' to 1/4''), and for reasons given
below, the belt itself can be formed from fiberglass, what amounts
to Pyrex.RTM. glass to great advantage in increased efficacity for
the invention itself. The fiberglass belt can be an important part
of an illumination unit as described below (see description for
FIG. 34) to effect a change of state of seeds to having reduced
germination viability.
[0225] Now referring to FIG. 19, a transmissive weed seed
accumulator belt 3Z8 for use as a processing theater according to
the invention is shown. The Pyrex.RTM. or fiberglass belt of FIG.
18 can be illuminated at the underside, allowing Indigo Region
Illumination Distribution (IRID) light to pass through it and
illuminate a load placed on top, as can be seen in Figures below.
Air can also be passed through, for tailing materials handling
purposes, such as to attract and later expel a mat of tailings
being treated.
[0226] Now referring to FIG. 20, a cartesian plot of known relative
optical absorption and photochemical efficiency for a typical plant
is shown as a function of wavelength from 400 to 700 nm. The plot
shows relative absorption for Chlorophyl a and Chlorophyl b, and
also actual photochemical (photosynthetic conversion) for a typical
plant, as well as the overall (optical) absorption spectrum of the
plant overall. As can be seen there are two relative peaks centered
about blue/violet and red light and this is the regime operation
for the bulk of the excitation that fuel photosynthesis and
internal regulation in plants, generally.
[0227] Referring now to FIG. 21, the cartesian plot of FIG. 20 is
shown, with the span of an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution
IRID in service to the instant invention shown. As can be seen, the
Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID can extend from 300 nm
to a relative low between the two absorption peaks for a typical
plant that are due to photochemical action of Chlorophyl a and
Chlorophyl b. Specifically, the wavelength regime 1 shown in the
Figure to the left of the vertical dotted line depicting 550 nm is
that for use as the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID
according to the invention. The wavelength regime 2 shown to the
right of the 550 nm line that includes yellow, orange and red was
found from research and experimentation using controls to be not
effective for treating seeds. Addition of this type of light from
regime 2 is optional and may serve aesthetic or other purposes, but
was discovered to be operationally ineffective for weed seed
control. For example, it is notable that known red 650 nm peak LEDs
(light emitting diodes) at the same power level as those used to
form a Indigo Region Illumination Distribution to meet the protocol
of the invention had no measurable effectiveness. However the
actual spectral or wavelength distribution of light used to
construct a Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID can
vary.
[0228] Now referring to FIG. 22, a schematic representation across
this range of 300 nm to 550 nm for an Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution is shown with various illustrative possible
distribution patterns that are possible. This Figure does not show
spectral intensity, or spectral irradiance, that is, W/cm.sup.2 per
unit wavelength--which can vary. The Figure shows only the presence
of radiation in particular wavelength, without intensity
information.
[0229] The first distribution depicted, s1, shows a near full span
of the range between 300 and 550 nm, continuous and solid. The
second distribution s2 shows another possible distribution from 400
to 550 nn, not continuous and absent UV-A radiation. A third
distribution s3 shows various spectral lines of output, with the
highest energy radiation at about 480 nm, and consisting of only
six emission lines as shown. This can arise from various light
sources, such as lasers, and especially ion discharge lamps with no
intervening phosphor, etc. A fourth distribution s4 is continuous
in part like distribution s1, but is absent mid-wavelengths, and
notably is absent wavelengths associated with indigo, for which the
Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID is named. All these,
and other similar distributions are possible in service of the
instant invention. However from testing and experimentation,
radiation at and around 430 nm appears to be the best for
biological effectiveness in weed seed control.
[0230] Appearance of the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution
IRID to the human eye shall not be indicative of suitability, A
Indigo Region Illumination Distribution may not appear "blue" or
`indigo" to the human eye because of the effect of constituent
wavelength components--and response of the human eye to light
distributions, including known effects of metamerism, shall not
limit or narrow the scope of the appended claims, nor narrow the
instant teachings.
[0231] As stated above, a Indigo Region Illumination Distribution
IRID contains wavelengths of light substantially coincident with a
short wavelength absorption relative peak (generally of wavelength
less than 550 nm) of a grown plant. In the protocol taught and
claimed in the instant disclosure, the preferred range of
wavelengths for the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution is
400-500 nm, with a distribution centered at about 430-450 nm.
[0232] Known commercially available high output "blue" LEDs (light
emitting diodes) can be used to provide necessary light for Indigo
Region Illumination Distribution IRID, providing light generally in
a wavelength range from 400 to 550 nm. For example, known SiC
(silicon carbide) based LEDs with output from 430-505 nm
(appearance blue) are available and have a Forward Voltage of 3.6
volts; GaN (Gallium Nitride) and InGaN (Indium Gallium Nitride)
based diodes are also available. Mixture of GaN with In (InGaN) or
Al (AlGaN) with a band gap dependent on alloy ratios allows
manufacture of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with varied output
peaks. Some LED devices using Aluminium Gallium Nitride (AlGaN)
produce ultraviolet (UV-A) light also suitable for a Indigo Region
Illumination Distribution, and known phosphors can be used to
extend spectral range or to serve another objective such as making
a trademark color splash without departing from the scope of the
invention and appended claims.
[0233] To construct a Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID
source, commercially available high power UV/violet LED chips are
thus available in varied peak distribution wavelengths such as 365
nm, 370 nm, 375 nm, 385 nm, 390 nm 395 nm, 400 nm, 405 nm, and 425
nm with input power ranging from 3 to 100 watts, such as available
from Shenzhen Chanzon Technology Co., Ltd., ShenZhen, Guangdong,
China. The embodiments shown in Figures which follow employ a 100
watt array, 450 nm peak output. Larger arrays can be built up from
constituent chips to serve the requirements of the instant
invention for larger scale applications.
[0234] Now referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, simple schematic
cross-sectional representations of an illuminator IE8, specifically
a advantageous, compact proximity pass-through configuration
illuminator (PROXIMITY PASS-THROUGH CONFIGURATION ILLUMINATOR)
according to the invention, are shown. Inside a housing 6, are a
IRID emitter 88 and a MWIR emitter E. As can be seen, the IRID
emitter and the MWIR emitter are sized, positioned and oriented to
allow light output from each of said IRID emitter and MWIR emitter
to be substantially superposed for directing to seed S. with rays
of type shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 being directed to the seed Sat the
left of the Figure. Light generated as shown emerging from IRID
emitter 88 passes through the physical MWIR emitter E. MWIR emitter
E can comprise glass in various forms, such as plate glass, and be
can be any of borosilicate glass, Pyrex Glass Code 7740, soda lime
glass, and other materials like aluminum oxide ceramic, and any
such as that having high thermal emissivity in the range of Medium
Wavelength Infrared wavelengths as defined herein. This can include
materials having coatings or surface treatments that have favorable
MWIR emission characteristics. The use of Pyrex.RTM. or other
borosilicate glass was the best mode, by far, in providing Medium
Wavelength Infrared radiation that was unexpectedly effective at
effecting a change of state to having reduced germination viability
for seeds.
[0235] MWIR emitter E is heated using a heater assisted by a
heating ring Hr as shown, in thermal communication with
illustrative glass (e.g., borosilicate glass) of MWIR emitter E.
Borosilicate glass and other similar materials conduct heat across
themselves, and this heated glass allows efficient coupling into
MWIR wavelengths and allows a pass-through of Indigo Region
Illumination Distribution IRID light as shown.
[0236] An alternative to heating a preferred borosilicate glass
MWIR emitter E using a heating ring Hr is the use of heat sources
in the form of commercially available known tubular lamps, and
illustrative spectral densities for these are given in FIG. 25.
[0237] Now referring to FIG. 25, three illustrative cartesian plots
of spectral density versus wavelength for three possible Medium
Wavelength Infrared light sources for use by the instant invention
are shown. In the instant teachings, the wavelength of the MWIR
emitter E figures importantly, with 2-8 microns preferred,
including 3-5 microns.
[0238] Such tubular lamps provide radiation in service of the
instant invention, or provide thermal excitation to produce such
radiation, as discussed below (see FIGS. 44-46, and other Figures).
They tend to follow closely Wen's displacement law, which states
that the black-body radiation curve for different temperatures of
the black body will peak at different wavelengths that are
inversely proportional to the temperature, a consequence of the
Planck radiation law giving the spectral intensity as a function of
wavelength for a given temperature. Wen's displacement law
states
.lamda..sub.peak=b/T Eqn 1
where .lamda..sub.peak is the peak wavelength (microns); b is
Wien's displacement constant, 2898 micron-K; and T is the absolute
temperature in Kelvin.
[0239] The three spectral plots represent three different tubular
lamps:
[0240] L1 depicts a spectral density for a clear halogen lamp with
a pyrex outer jacket, operating temperature 2400K, with a peak
output wavelength of 1.3 microns. This lamp is preferred to obtain
high radiation output because of its high operating temperature,
and the output can be used to excite borosilicate glass in
proximity, as known by those of ordinary skill in the art of lamp
design and heat sources.
[0241] L2 depicts a ruby/gold-plated halogen lamp spectral density
for a clear halogen lamp with a pyrex outer jacket, operating
temperature 1800 K, with a peak output wavelength of 1.6
microns.
[0242] L3 depicts a spectral density for a clear halogen lamp with
a carbon fiber filament and a quartz outer jacket, operating
temperature 1200 K, with a peak output wavelength of 2.5 microns.
This lamp is preferred when using as a direct light source to
practice the instant invention, because the substantial share of
the radiation output is at the preferred range of 2-8 microns.
[0243] These above lamps (not shown) are standard configurations
and available from Lianyungang O-Yate Lighting Electrical Co., Ltd,
Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province, China.
[0244] FIG. 26 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a Medium
Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) emitter that comprises an emissive
powder coat for enhanced emission. A powder coat MWIR emitter,
e.g., ground or powdered borosilicate glass, can be put onto a
surface which is heated for operation according to the invention.
Specifically, as shown, powder coat MWIR emitter E+ is affixed or
coated upon a heated substrate E', which can derive heat from heat
ring Hr or the above tubular lamps alluded to above in the
description for FIG. 25. Rays from any Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution IRID passing though powder coat MWIR emitter E+ are
not shown for clarity. This embodiment can reduce costs and weight,
and can allow for optimization of output. This allows the powder
coat to be illuminated independently to provide heating. This
excitation can include optical radiation (in a variety of possible
wavelengths) such as from lamps; glowing filaments or other bodies,
microwave radiation, laser light, and flood and spot lamps, such as
high intensity halogen enhance filament lamps, or LED lamps, using
known reflector or other optics. Arrays can be used that are
proximate the powder coat MWIR emitter E+ along a length, or a spot
beam can be used. In this illustrative example, a simple substrate
which is not an Medium Wavelength Infrared emitter, can be
used.
[0245] One can use known powdered, sintered, or particulate
materials, comprising borosilicate glass or other glasses or MWIR
emissive materials, to provide the main radiation source that
establishes the specific Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR called for
in service of the invention as taught and claimed. If desired,
underlying heated substrate E' can itself be a MWIR emitter E as
well. In addition, MWIR emitter E+ can be externally optically
energized from a distance--or heated with an external lamp or
source (not shown) as those of ordinary skill in the art can
appreciate.
[0246] It should be noted that based on experimental tests, we
concluded that borosilicate glass provides more effective results
than anything else tested, including heated quartz. The success of
the borosilicate helps to confirm MWIR wavelengths are a key
component of borosilicate emissions that destroy the weed seeds,
and that UV (ultraviolet light) is not needed.
[0247] FIG. 27 shows a schematic depicting separate MWIR and IRID
sources to irradiate a seed according to the invention;
[0248] Now referring to FIG. 27, a schematic arrangement is shown
using separate MWIR and IRID sources used to irradiate a seed S.
Illustratively shown powder coat MWIR emitter E+ and LED array IRID
emitter 88 are separately housed and light output is not undergoing
superposition as in the previous FIGS. 23 and 24. Guide optics can
be provided using known reflectors, transmitters, light guides,
refractors, etc. to direct Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR and
Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID as taught and claimed.
The guide optics can include moveable parts such as reflector flaps
that respond yieldingly to a harvester combine separation stage
conditions. Possible alternative Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR
sources can include known CO.sup.2 (carbon dioxide) lasers, and
infrared LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes).
Exposures
[0249] In various experiments, testing on soybean tailings (weed
seeds and chaff), as well as tumbleweed seeds, and giant ragweed
seeds, output from the protocol was planted in pots and grown in
greenhouse conditions. We discovered that certain energies and
irradiances worked to produce unanticipated results. As noted
below, the remarkable effectiveness of using borosilicate glass
(and to a lesser extent, certain other glasses) to act as a MWIR
emitter E was also unexpected, and represents an unnatural
exposure, because sunlight contains very little Medium Wavelength
Infrared in the range of 2-8 or 2-20 microns. The addition of
Indigo Region Illumination Distribution radiation helped increase
efficacity further, especially with certain seeds.
[0250] From experimentation on various seeds, in various physical
conditions, such as with and without damage, and with and without
associated dry or scaly chaff, a number of effective operating
regimes or exposures for the instant invention were discovered to
work statistically, as follows, with the following as minimums:
[0251] For weed seeds with damaged coats (Sd), illuminating a seed
to achieve a minimum of at least one of 2/3 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative
illumination energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance;
[0252] For weed seeds with damaged coats and chaff (Sdc),
illuminating a seed to achieve a minimum of at least one of 2/3
J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2
irradiance;
[0253] For weed seeds with intact coats (S), illuminating a seed to
achieve a minimum of at least one of 1 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative
illumination energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2 irradiance; and
[0254] For weed seeds with intact coats and chaff (Sc),
illuminating a seed to achieve a minimum of at least one of 4
J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2
irradiance.
[0255] The Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation preferably includes
a narrower range of wavelengths, namely, including substantially
wavelengths ranging from 2 to 8 microns.
[0256] The Indigo Region Illumination Distribution preferably
includes a narrow range of wavelengths, namely including
substantially wavelengths ranging from 400 to 500 nanometers.
[0257] The apportionment between Medium Wavelength Infrared and
Indigo Region Illumination Distribution in the illumination can be
wholly one or the other or any apportionment in between, such as
90% Medium Wavelength Infrared and 10% Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution, and the light wavelength distribution can be
proportioned to be between 6 and 30 percent Indigo Region
Illumination Distribution.
[0258] Generally, the minimum protocol in a time under one minute,
is illuminating a seed to achieve a minimum of at least one of 2/3
J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination energy, and 0.06 W/cm.sup.2
irradiance, of a light wavelength distribution comprising at least
one of an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID) and Medium
Wavelength Infrared (MWIR)) radiation. However, higher illumination
energy and/or irradiances are possible, with a preferred protocol
comprising illuminating a seed to achieve a minimum of at least one
of 2 J/cm.sup.2 cumulative illumination energy, and 0.2 W/cm.sup.2
irradiance.
[0259] The most preferred, by far, of protocols was a strange
discovery. Much better results were obtain using Medium Wavelength
Infrared radiation that originates at least in part from any of
borosilicate glass, Pyrex Glass Code 7740, soda lime glass,
aluminum oxide ceramic, and a powder coat. This is an unnatural
exposure. Sunlight has very little spectral irradiance in the
Medium Wavelength Infrared range, about 0.005 W/cm.sup.2. Based on
newer tests that plant tailings into pots after treatment, samples
treated using Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation specifically
emanating from borosilicate glass (Pyrex.RTM.) got better results
than anything else tested, included quarts and various tubular
lamps as discussed above. The success of the borosilicate emissions
helps to confirm MWIR wavelengths are a key component for success
in changing the state of weed seeds to having reduced germination
viability. Ultraviolet was found to be not needed, and the
preference for the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution
radiation to be substantially 400-500 nm increases efficacity and
efficiency for the process.
[0260] Statistical success relied upon a thorough attempt to
illuminate weed seeds as part of a tailings mass, and reflected
light from a reflector was very advantage to insure that many weed
seeds got exposure on two sides, even if those two sides were not
180 degrees apart.
[0261] Regarding the use of the Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution, we discovered that it allows getting performance of
the invention from a broader group of seeds. Seeds with a greenish
color like foxtail, barley, or wheat seeds with feather out top did
very well in testing with a significant portion of the illumination
from a Indigo Region Illumination Distribution. Because a seed bank
contains a variety of seeds, it is recommended that the Indigo
Region Illumination Distribution be part of the protocol. The
proportion of blue light that falls in the Indigo Region
Illumination Distribution wavelength ranges is about 0.02
W/cm.sup.2.
[0262] In practicing the invention, one can use intermittent
sources, a flash or flashes, without departing from the scope of
the appended claims, but overall, irradiances should be kept to
less than 7 W/cm.sup.2 average to avoid ignition of combustibles in
the tailings mix.
[0263] Actual wattages (power consumption) will be higher than
given above in the protocol, because the protocol specifies
cumulative energies and irradiances associated only with the
illumination wavelengths taught and claimed. Additional energy in
other wavelengths can be directed toward tailings and seeds without
departing from the scope of the invention.
[0264] As will be discussed below, multiple sources of Medium
Wavelength Infrared are provided to great advantage, using direct
illumination and indirect illumination from more specialized
versions of weed seed accumulator belt 3Z.
[0265] Now referring to FIG. 28, a logarithmic cartesian plot
representation of Illumination Wavelength versus Total Illumination
Irradiance is shown indicated by closed figure fora typical
illustrative approximate regime of operation for the instant
invention applied to a weed seed, using an Indigo Region
Illumination Distribution and a Medium Wavelength Infrared
illumination distribution, with contrast shown to the prior art
high radiative transfer depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, shown on this
plot in closed figure. As shown, the instant invention applied to
seeds is in a different regime. Average irradiances for Indigo
Region Illumination Distribution IRID radiation and Medium
Wavelength Infrared MWIR radiation for seeds and seedlings are
again on the order of single digit or fractional W/cm.sup.2, while
the high radiative transfer of the prior art is higher by orders of
magnitude. Use of the invention does not lead to ignition of
biomass or burning of plant components. This cartesian plot
representation of illumination is illustrative only and follows a
sample exposure, and shall not be considered limiting to the
breadth of the manner in which the invention can be practiced as
described, or to the appended claims.
[0266] Now referring to FIG. 29, a listing of operative attributes
is shown for a class of prior art large radiative and large UV
radiative transfers as depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7. Specifically, the
use of energy distributions such as those high in UV-B and UV-C
radiation--have effects on plant life, such as scalding, burning,
an ultraviolet burn similar to extreme sun burn in humans called UV
burn, leaf and plant component failure, cooking of seeds, and
dehydration. Ironically, it is evident that the more destructive
the radiative transfer, the more plants appear to be equipped to
regrow, likely so because of evolution dealing with fire, flood,
windstorms, trampling by animals, disease, pestilence, drought,
landslides, etc. The effects of low energy radiation of the instant
invention were unanticipated.
[0267] Now referring to FIG. 30, an illustrative schematic
silhouette of a prior art combine harvester is shown. Shown simply
as functional blocks on this schematic are three functions: reaper,
thresher and separator, as discussed above and alluded to in the
references incorporated into this specification.
[0268] Now referring to FIG. 31, a partial internal rough surface
view of separation stage of a prior art combine harvester is shown.
As discussed above, larger waste such as straw typically exits or
is "walked" out of the top of the combine machine (not shown). In
the Figure, an air-blown tailings flow (AIR-BLOWN TAILINGS FLOW) is
shown flowing, above a lower sieve (LOWER SIEVE). In the space
above the lower sieve, the air blast from a fan (not shown) works
to separate grain from chaff. Grain typically falls into and down
through the lower sieve. It is the tailings flow that contains weed
seeds. Very importantly, the weed seeds are among a large biomass
of material, often called MOG (Material Other than Grain). This is
the flow that can be treated using the invention. The use of
specialized belts as disclosed and claimed here has been found to
help with material handling and also actively participate in
enhancing, and prolonging needed exposure according to the protocol
for the invention, as described below in the description for FIGS.
32-53 and 55-58.
[0269] Now referring to FIG. 32, shows a cross-sectional schematic
of a harvest Q of seeds and chaff is shown under direct
illumination atop a weed seed accumulator belt 3Z according to the
invention. This Figure is similar to FIGS. 15 and 16, and shows
direct illumination with Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR and Indigo
Region Illumination Distribution IRID. The thickness of the
material on the mat (not shown to scale on this and other figures)
is 3 mm to 6 mm preferred.
[0270] Now referring to FIG. 33, a cross-sectional schematic
similar to that shown in FIG. 32 is shown, but depicting a radiant
weed seed accumulator belt 3ZE. In this embodiment of the invention
that concerns material handling and exposures, the radiant weed
seed accumulator belt 3ZE is itself also a MWIR emitter E. As
alluded to in the description associated with FIG. 18, best results
for statistical success changing the state of weed seeds to having
reduced germination viability were obtained from the use of
borosilicate glass (Pyrex.RTM.), and similar glass like Pyrex.RTM.
Glass Code 7740, and soda lime glass, and also aluminum oxide
ceramic, deployed at least in part as the primary MWIR emitter E.
The radiant weed seed accumulator belt 3ZE is so constructed and
formed to comprise an MWIR emitter (E), which itself is so formed,
composed and positioned to emit Medium Wavelength Infrared
radiation by heating of, and thermal emission from, at least a
portion of the radiant weed seed accumulator belt itself.
[0271] The radiant weed seed accumulator belt 3ZE is heated using
heat sources (not shown) or using waste heat from other light
sources (such as either Medium Wavelength Infrared or Indigo Region
Illumination Distribution sources)--and the radiation from the
radiant weed seed accumulator belt 3ZE itself, shown as Medium
Wavelength Infrared MWIR (upward point arrows in the Figure) helps
illuminate the tailings to be treated, enhancing exposure
probability using radiation of a wavelength that was discovered to
be uniquely effective and not present in sunlight in large amounts.
The preferred wavelength range for MWIR emitter E ranges from 2 to
8 microns. The MWIR emitter E in radiant weed seed accumulator belt
3ZE can be composed using known techniques to comprise a powder
coat, and that powder coat can, like the MWIR emitter E itself,
comprise a glass selected from borosilicate glass, Pyrex.RTM. Glass
Code 7740, and soda lime glass, or alternatively aluminum oxide
ceramic.
[0272] Now referring to FIG. 34, a cross-sectional schematic
similar to that shown in FIG. 33 is shown, but using a transmissive
weed seed accumulator belt 3Z8. The transmissive weed seed
accumulator belt 3Z8 is so constructed and formed to allow a light
wavelength distribution comprising an Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution IRID (source IRID emitter 88 not shown for clarity) to
pass through the radiant weed seed accumulator belt to allow
transmission of the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution to a
seed. As can be seen from the Figure, an Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution IRID is applied to the underside of the belt, and
passes through the belt itself to allow illumination of a seed. The
transmissive weed seed accumulator belt 3Z8 can operate by use of
apertures or slits or pores or holes; or alternatively by
transparency or by translucence, in any combination. Fiberglass or
fibrous fabrics made at least in part from glass, can fit this
purpose, as known in the glass arts.
[0273] Now referring to FIG. 35, a cross-sectional schematic
similar to that shown in FIG. 34 is given, but depicting a radiant
and transmissive weed seed accumulator belt 3ZE8, which combines
the attributes of the belts shown in FIGS. 33 and 34.
[0274] Radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator belt 3ZE8,
[1] is also constructed and formed to comprise an MWIR emitter (E),
which itself is so formed, composed and positioned to emit Medium
Wavelength Infrared radiation by heating of, and thermal emission
from, at least a portion of the radiant weed seed accumulator belt
itself; and [2] like as shown in FIG. 34, is also so constructed
and formed to allow a light wavelength distribution comprising an
Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID (source IRID emitter
88 not shown for clarity) to pass through the radiant weed seed
accumulator belt to allow transmission of the Indigo Region
Illumination Distribution to a seed.
[0275] Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR emerges upward in the Figure
as shown, while Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID passes
from the underside of the belt in the Figure, passing through to
illuminate the tailings load shown. Those skilled in the optical
arts can add diffusers, concentrators, and reflectors to radiant
and transmissive weed seed accumulator belt 3ZE8. Direct sources of
Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation and Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution can be added without departing from the scope of the
invention and claims.
[0276] Now referring to FIG. 36, the cross-sectional schematic of
the radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator belt 3ZE8 of
FIG. 35, is shown additionally comprising a known heat source HS
(such as a tubular lamp) heating the underside of the belt to heat
the radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator belt.
[0277] Now referring to FIG. 37, a cross sectional depiction of a
radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator belt of FIGS. 35 and
36 is shown comprising individual chain-like transmitting links.
Radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator belt 3ZE8 is now
shown in another embodiment of the invention comprising a plurality
of belt links Z as shown, illuminated from the underside on the
Figure using a plurality of IRID emitters 88, with underside rays
omitted for clarity. The emission of Medium Wavelength Infrared
MWIR is omitted for clarity. Further function is shown in the next
Figures. The radiant weed seed accumulator belt 3ZE8 comprises a
plurality of links so formed, linked, positioned and optically
composed in a manner known those skilled in the optical arts to
allow the Indigo Region Illumination Distribution to be transmitted
link-to-link and also to be emitted from the plurality of links
upward in the Figure to impinge upon the seed or tailings.
[0278] Now referring to FIGS. 38 and 39 shows side and top cross
sectional views, respectively, of one belt link Z of the radiant
and transmissive weed seed accumulator belt 3ZE8 depicted in FIG.
37, with partial width input/output light reflectors shown. In FIG.
38, a side view (side) is shown showing a link or hinge pin p and
two partial width input/output light reflectors 2i. A top view 01
of the belt link Z is shown in FIG. 39, showing link pin p at the
left and partial width input/output light reflectors 2i from the
top. Partial width input/output light reflectors 2i assist with
light distribution as shown in the next Figure.
[0279] Now referring to FIG. 40 the radiant and transmissive weed
seed accumulator belt 3ZE8 of FIG. 37 is shown, and showing an
illustrative effective light distribution from IRID emitter 88.
Partial width input/output light reflectors 2i (not labeled for
clarity in this Figure) can be made from aluminum, stainless steel,
or metal foil, and laid in during manufacture of the belt links Z,
preferably to take the form of borosilicate glass blocks in a
manner known to those skilled in the glass and ceramic arts. In the
Figure, as illustratively shown, light from IRID emitter 88 travels
upward in the Figure, hits a partial width input/output light
reflector 2i (full illustrative rays not shown) and is
substantially reflected and now passing to the left in the Figure
as shown by the chain of arrows. As this Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution light passes leftward, it encounters periodically in
the chain additional partial width input/output light reflectors 2i
as it is transmitted from link to link traveling to the left. Each
time it encounters a partial width input/output light reflector 2i
formed for upward deflection of light, some of the Indigo Region
Illumination Distribution light is reflected upward in the Figure,
so as to illuminate a harvest Q as shown in FIG. 32.
[0280] This arrangement in the radiant and transmissive weed seed
accumulator belt 3ZE8 allows for emission of Medium Wavelength
Infrared radiation, as well as Indigo Region Illumination
Distribution light, and allow for longer illumination dwell times
for the harvest, tailings, or seed to be treated. Because of its
chance nature, the statistical attribute associated with trying to
get two sided illumination on seeds to increase effectiveness is
improved using a continuously glowing belt. This can be
supplemented with other direct sources MWIR emitters E and IRID
emitters 88, and with reflectors, as well, to increase the number
and directions of light impinging upon a seed. This improves the
statistics for a change of state of seeds to having reduced
germination viability, particularly if there is confounding
material in the tailings.
[0281] Now referring to FIG. 41, the radiant and transmissive weed
seed accumulator belt 3ZE8 of FIG. 37 is shown, with illustrative
belt links Z opening upon rounding a curve, as shown with a
rotating pulley shown rotating counter-clockwise in the figure.
When the belt links Z open up upon going around a curve as shown,
the chain of light transmission from link to link is broken
somewhat (not shown) as the links no longer butt squarely,
link-to-link. Belt links Z can still have provisions for pores that
allow air to pass through them, as depicted in FIG. 19.
[0282] Now referring to FIG. 42, a simple weed seed accumulator 3
is shown providing transport in a processing theater according to
one embodiment of the invention. Individual trays or pockets can be
used to transport (TRANSPORT) to the right in the Figure the
tailings inside the processing theater (PROCESSING THEATER) that
include seeds S.
[0283] Now referring to FIG. 43, a harvest layer array of harvest
is shown in a processing theater 4 to be treated according to the
instant invention upon a radiant and transmissive weed seed
accumulator belt 3ZE8. Good results have been obtained using a
layer height h as shown that includes seed 2-3 monolayers high.
There is sufficient scatter of light to allow efficient processing
to proceed according to the invention. Illuminator IE8 comprising a
MWIR emitter E and/or a IRID emitter 88 is not shown for
clarity.
[0284] Now referring to FIG. 44, a cross-sectional view of a
possible compact illuminator (COMPACT ILLUMINATOR, IE8) according
to one embodiment of the invention is shown. Referring also to
FIGS. 45 and 46, oblique surface views of the compact illuminator
depicted in FIG. 44 are shown. In this illuminator IE8, a housing
22 retains a curved reflector C that surrounds two pipe-like MWIR
emitters E as shown, oriented upon an axis (not shown) in the
longest direction of the illuminator IE8 as depicted in FIG. 45.
Light from pipe-like MWIR emitters E passes downward as in the
Figure shown by the rays for Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR, with
assistance of the curved reflector C, as known in the optical arts.
A central assembly (not labeled) houses a plurality of IRID
emitters 88 that are positioned in between pipe-like MWIR emitters
E, and this light, Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID, is
shown also projected downward in the Figure. IRID emitters 88 are
serviced by heat sinks 77 as shown, and can be 100 watt array, 450
nm peak output LED arrays with peak output at 430 nm, true indigo
in appearance and with continuous distributions. This compact
illuminator can be used to illuminate, either directly or from the
underside, any of the weed seed accumulator belt 3Z, 3ZE, 3Z8, or
3ZE8 previously described. It is suitable for inclusion inside a
harvester combine.
[0285] The interiors (not explicitly shown) of MWIR emitters E can
comprise heaters; or tubular lamps as previously described, such as
a clear halogen heat lamp, which essentially acts as a cartridge
heater with a glass or quartz exterior. Alternatively, a preferred
embodiment can comprise the tubular MWIR emitters E as shown with
an emissive coating, such as a known aluminum oxide ceramic, or
MWIR emitters E can comprise copper pipes sprayed with glass, or
with aluminum oxide thermal spray. Any high emissivity coating on a
thermally heated tube could offer advantages so long as the
emissions are as called for in the protocol for the invention,
preferably Medium Wavelength Infrared in the range of 2 to 9 micron
wavelengths.
[0286] Now referring to FIG. 47, a cross-sectional view of an
illuminated external wrap radiant and transmissive weed seed
accumulator belt forming an illumination unit 14 according to the
invention, and featuring air suction through the belt itself to
attract a harvest to be treated, and air expulsion through the belt
to expel treated harvest. Referring also to FIG. 48, the
cross-sectional view of an illuminated external wrap radiant and
transmissive weed seed accumulator belt forming an illumination
unit according to the invention of FIG. 47, is shown in a partial
close-up view. Referring also to FIG. 49, the cross-sectional view
of an illuminated external wrap radiant and transmissive weed seed
accumulator belt forming an illumination unit according to the
invention of FIG. 48, is shown in a further magnified close-up
view.
[0287] These FIGS. 47, 48, and 49 depict an illumination unit 14
which comprises a plurality of illuminators IE8 which illuminate a
processing theater 4 populated with a harvest Q according to the
invention. The illumination unit 14 is formed as shown on the
surface of an external wrap radiant and transmissive weed seed
accumulator belt 3ZE8, which forms a rectangular wrap as shown in
FIG. 47. The radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator belt
3ZE8 is shown moving in a rectangular track on the Figure page,
rotating clockwise on the page of FIG. 47, as shown by the
transport or motion arrows which point to the right on the belt top
(shown, top); downward on the Figure right side; leftward on the
belt underside (underside), and upward on the Figure left side. In
the interior of the external wrap of the radiant and transmissive
weed seed accumulator belt 3ZE8 are a plurality of IRID emitters 88
mounted therein, with associated heat sinks 77 and a series of
reflectors 2r which redirect light as shown in FIG. 49. FIG. 49
shows Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID light emitted
initially to the left in the Figure, then redirected by reflector
2r to become an upward ray as shown. This upward IRID ray passes
through the radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator belt
3ZE8 to emerge for the purpose of illuminating tailings or a weed
seed at processing theater 4.
[0288] The plurality of MWIR emitters E and associated curved
reflectors C shown perform two functions: they illuminate directly
the processing theater 4 and associated tailings, chaff or seeds,
shown by the downward Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR rays; and
they heat up the radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator
belt 3ZE8 so it becomes a MWIR emitter itself, and this is shown by
the upward Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR rays. This allows higher
total deposited thermal energy of the wavelengths of the protocol
and provides for longer thermal radiation dwell times for the
tailings to undergo conversion at processing theater 4.
[0289] Because the radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator
belt 3ZE8 is porous to air, and because the external wrap formed by
the belt is somewhat hermetically sealed (provisions known to those
skilled in the mechanical arts, but not shown), a plurality of
expulsion fans Y (of known construction) at the belt underside (a
second portion of the belt) as shown allow for a negative pressure
or vacuum to be created within the interior of radiant and
transmissive weed seed accumulator belt 3ZE8. This allows for
material handling and transporting the seed to and from the
processing theater, specifically radiant and transmissive weed seed
accumulator belt 3ZE8. As shown in FIG. 47, a flow (FLOW) of
harvest Q descends under vacuum action upon radiant and
transmissive weed seed accumulator belt 3ZE8 at a first portion of
the belt, with the tailings attracted to, and retained by the belt
as it moves rightward on top (chaff and seed material not shown on
the belt for clarity). The tailings cling to the belt through
processing theater 4, travel downward, and then to the left on the
belt underside, where due to gravity and due to the expulsion of
air afforded by expulsion fans Y, the tailings are expelled
(EXPULSION) downward in the Figure as shown. Because of the
illumination provided on the top (top) of the radiant and
transmissive weed seed accumulator belt 3ZE8 at processing theater
4, a change of state of the tailings to having reduced germination
viability has occurred prior to expulsion. This assembly can be put
anywhere there is a tailings flow in a harvester combine, such as
in the rear at the exit end behind the lower sieve, where tailings
are usually blown out the back of the combine, or sent to a
spreader for distribution on the ground.
[0290] Now referring to FIGS. 50 and 51, oblique surface views of
the illumination unit of FIGS. 47-49, are shown, with FIG. 50
featuring a drawing figure cutout to show interior components
normally hidden. As depicted, a tailings flow (FLOW) enters a
trough or tray t4 and interacts with radiant and transmissive weed
seed accumulator belt 3ZE8 which is in motion, driven by a motor
and pulley (not shown). The tailings move across the Figure
generally to the right, enter processing theater 4, and once there,
are exposed to Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation emitted from
MWIR emitters E with aid of curved reflectors C, as well as by the
thermal emissions of the belt itself, while IRID emitters 88
illuminate the belt underside. The IRID emitters 88 and expulsion
fans Y can be seen through a cutout (cutout).
[0291] The conveyor represented by radiant and transmissive weed
seed accumulator belt 3ZE8 can be of dimensions 47 inches (119 cm)
by 89 inches (225 cm). This apparatus can be attached to a
harvester combine, such as a Class 6 New Holland CR940 combine with
a 30 ft cutting head. Using this configuration and operating at 5
mph (8 km/hr), a typical speed for harvesting wheat, such a combine
harvests approximately 18 acres/hour. To calculate the volume of
chaff per second (Liters/Sec) to be treated, we use and assume:
[0292] 1. Chaff/Bushel of Wheat=20 lbs./Bushel [0293] 2. Wheat
Bushels/Acre=47.7 Bushels/Acre [0294] 3. Wheat chaff/Acre=47.7
bushels/acre*20 lbs./bushel=954 lbs of chaff/acre [0295] 4.
Chaff/hour=18 acres/hour*954 lbs./acre=17,345 lbs./hour, or 4.8
lbs./sec (2.18 kg/sec) From chaff measurements, chaff has an
inverse density of 2.54 liters/kg and the chaff volume is therefore
5.5 liters/sec. The system shown must treat approximately 5.5
liters of tailings per second, and can be placed at or near the
output between upper and lower sieves of a harvest combine. With
the radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator belt 3ZE8 moving
at a speed of 45 inches per second (1.14 m/sec) the illumination
unit 14 receives the outgoing chaff volume (approximately 5.5
liters/sec) and spreads it to an approximate thickness of 3 mm
(1/8'') over the belt. Any clumping or massing of the tailings can
be evened out by a screed bar or the like (not shown). The radiant
and transmissive weed seed accumulator belt 3ZE8 can be a a
fiberglass belt of known construction, and borosilicate
glass/Pyrex.RTM. is preferred.
[0296] Now referring to FIG. 52, a schematic of the elements of an
illumination unit 14 according to the invention. Illumination unit
14 as shown comprises an illuminator IE8 and a processing theater 4
upon which are arrayed harvest Q or tailings which typically can
comprise chaff KK and seed or seeds S.
[0297] Now referring to FIG. 53, an illustrative schematic
silhouette of a combine harvester similar to that shown in FIG. 30,
with functions of reaping, threshing, and separating, and now
additionally comprising an illumination unit 14, shown as
functional block (ILLUMINATOR), according to the invention. Those
skilled in the art can contemplate specific additions to any
combine to accomplish the illumination and processing theater
action functions taught and claimed here, in the description for
FIGS. 31-52 and 55-58.
[0298] Now referring to FIG. 54, a cartesian plot of an
illustrative seed temperature rise versus seconds during
illumination according to the invention is shown. As shown, a
temperature rise of approximately 1.7 C is shown during
illumination. Using the basic assumptions for use of the instant
invention for use in a harvester combine as given above in the
description for FIGS. 50 and 51, it becomes evident that the
protocols taught and claimed are not cooking the weed seeds, and
are using a low energy process. We estimate that the electrical
requirements to power the lamps for the illuminators IE8 would draw
only 6 percent of the power of the prime mover for a Class 6
combine machine. As for a temperature rise calculation, the active
area of the processing theater 4 in the embodiments described in
FIGS. 47-51 is 45 inches (114 cm) by 18 inches (46 cm), or 5244
cm.sup.2 total. The higher, preferred energy deposition protocol
calls for 2 J/cm.sup.2 deposited illumination energy over a 5244
cm.sup.2 area, or 10,488 Joules nominal. Even assuming that all
this illumination energy goes into the 2.18 kg of tailings per
second alluded to above, with no air and thermal losses inside the
processing theater 4, which is not realistic, and assuming a 50%
absorption of the Medium Wavelength Infrared and Indigo Region
Illumination Distribution radiation or illumination energy by the
tailings, a very rough calculation is as follows: Assuming that
chaff and seeds constitute approximately 18% water content, we use
an approximation a specific heat of 0.18 calories/gram for the
tailings. Each second the combine generates 2180 grams of tailings.
At 0.18 calories/gram, 2180 grams.times.0.18 calories/gram yields
392 calories of input energy that is required to raise the
temperature of the tailings 1 C. Converting to Joules, 392
calories.times.4.18 Joules/calorie yields 1638 Joules to raise the
temperature of the 2.18 kg of tailings by 1 C. Wth absorption of
the 50% of the applied illumination radiation, one needs
2.times.1638 Joules=3276 Joules to raise the tailings temperature
by 1 C. 10,488 Joules/3276 Joules/calorie yields a nominal
temperature rise of 3.2 C, and this is for the full preferred
energy protocol. Many losses are not accounted for during the
illumination step. Testing done during 2 Joules/cm.sup.2 cumulative
illumination energy exposures were not able to record reliably any
average discernible temperature of weed seeds upon immediate
measurement of the weed seeds using optical equipment. During
testing, there was little or no temperature rise discernible to the
touch. This cartesian plot of an illustrative seed temperature rise
is illustrative only and follows a sample exposure, and shall not
considered limiting to the breadth of the manner in which the
invention can be practiced as described, or to the appended
claims.
[0299] Now referring to FIG. 55 shows a possible embodiment of the
invention comprising an illuminator inside an open processing
theater volume placed in the separation stage of a combine
harvester as shown in FIG. 31. Though it is not at present
preferred, it is possible to deploy illuminators IE8 as direct
illuminators in the stream of air-blown tailings flow emerging from
above the lower sieve of a typical combine, as depicted.
Illuminator IE8 can be comprised of sources MWIR emitter E and IRID
emitter 88 as disclosed above, and affixed using known techniques
inside the processing theater. Accompanying dividers, panels, and
structures that help arrange airborne tailings to assemble for
illumination and to prevent optical blocking of the illuminator IE8
can also be provided as can be contemplated by those skilled in the
mechanical arts.
[0300] FIG. 56 shows the illuminator of FIG. 55, in close-up
schematic cross-sectional view, and showing a dual output in the
form of Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR and Indigo Region
Illumination Distribution IRID.
[0301] Now referring to FIG. 57, an illustrative interior volume is
shown inside the open processing theater volume shown in FIG. 55,
with air-blown tailings flow. Tailings flow (AIR-BLOWN TAILINGS
FLOW) can comprise chaff KK and weed seeds S. The conversion
sought, namely, change of state to having reduced germination
viability for a seed S is due to participation in a statistical
process, because it is by chance that a seed in such a flow gets a
full exposure, although multiple illuminators IE8, including any
MWIR emitters E that are radiating can increase the likelihood of
full exposure for an individual seed. The teachings of the instant
invention can operate in any cyclone separator process that is
added to increase effectiveness, as those skilled in the art can
devise.
[0302] Now referring to FIG. 58, an illuminated auger transport
device to treat harvest according to one embodiment of the
invention is shown. There are natural points in a typical combine
where there are opportunities to illuminate a tailings flow
according to the invention, such as conveyors, and elevators that
are sometimes used to recycle tailings for further processing. Some
combine units have an active tailings return in the form of an
active tailings return auger, for example. An illuminated auger is
shown with a screw blade or flighting A9 inside a tube, with auger
flow (AUGER FLOW) upward as indicated. It is also possible to
illuminate outgoing tailings at discharge beaters, or later, at a
vane tailboard or active spreader, such as the Active Power Cast
Spreader of the John Deere S700, without departing the scope of the
invention and appended claims. Similarly, one can illuminate
tailings when using a "drop from cab" mode used in some
combines.
[0303] Specifically, the auger glass lining or cylinder can be
equipped, as those skilled in the art can devise, with a
illuminator IE8 that emits Medium Wavelength Infrared MWIR and/or
Indigo Region Illumination Distribution IRID, at a processing
theater (4 not shown for clarity) inside the auger or flighting A9.
In addition, auger or flighting A9 can be fabricated from, or
comprise, borosilicate glass, Pyrex Glass Code 7740, soda lime
glass, or aluminum oxide ceramic, and can also comprise a powder
coat. This would allow heating the auger or flighting A9 to provide
further Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation emissions as taught
and claimed here.
[0304] Now referring to FIG. 59, a prior art seed destruction mill
(SEED DESTRUCTION MILL) for treating harvest, including weed seeds,
is shown. Such a unit could be, for example, the Harrington Seed
Destructor, alluded to above, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,152,610
to Harrington; or the seed destruction mill disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 10,004,176 to Mayerle. In such mills, flow of tailings into the
mill (indicated by the inward pointing arrow) allow that tailings
meet a destruction process. A typical arrangement is a housing 22
containing a rotor R1 and a counterrotating rotor R2, both driven a
high rotational speed that subject weed seeds to destructive
stresses that cause damage.
[0305] Now referring to FIG. 60, the seed destruction mill of FIG.
59 comprising various possible illuminators and associated
processing theaters, to treat a harvest according to the invention
is shown. Inward tailings flow indicated by the inward arrow allows
that tailings enter an illumination unit 14 that comprises multiple
illuminators IE8 and associated processing theaters 4 at or inside
the seed destruction mill as shown. Such illumination units 14 can
be located at the entrance, output end, or at internal locations in
the mill. This can increase the statistical success of the seed
destruction mill advantageously by following the mechanical mill
process with an optical one, as taught and claimed in this
disclosure.
[0306] Generally, regarding exposures as taught and claimed herein,
there are many possible factors which would require a practitioner
of the method of the invention to change exposures, such as the
varied effectiveness of the invention on many varied different
plant species; plant environmental history, prior sun exposure,
history of rain or water uptake, miscellaneous species factors;
plant condition; soil factors; the presence of ground debris which
might block MWIR radiation during the illumination process. So
specific exposures within the scope of the appended claims can be
adjusted to optimize results.
[0307] Multiple applications of the instant invention, such as
lower dose applications can be contemplated whereby impaired
germination viability increases upon multiple applications.
[0308] An illumination unit, comprising an illuminator and a
processing theater can go in back of combine, on a trailer, or be
integrated into another machine. One can add, without departing
from the appended claims, more sieves or other sorting, threshing,
cutting, straw walking, and detritus-eliminating steps without
departing from the appended claims.
[0309] The invention can be set in motion using known means to
accomplish the same objectives over a wide area, such as a wide
processing theater, perhaps on the ground plane or on soil. Other
harvest transport methods, such as pulsed shots of air, can be used
to moved harvest to and from a processing theater using known
techniques from the materials handling arts without departing from
the scope of the appended claims. Autonomous, non-autonomous,
powered, or non-powered vehicles can be used to illuminate or treat
a field, using illumination as taught and claimed, or using
communication to other, external light sources. The invention can
also be combined with other processes, including transport,
cleaning and sorting processes not mentioned in this disclosure
without departing from the appended claims.
[0310] Known imaging optics can be added to practice the protocol
of the invention, including beam forming using parabolic curved
sections, or sections that resemble a compound parabolic curve; and
non-imaging optics can also be used. If desired, one can redirect
all electromagnetic emissions as taught and claimed in the instant
disclosure using mirrors, lenses, foil arrays, or light guides and
pipes without departing from the scope of the invention. Similarly,
those of ordinary skill can add light wavelengths to the exposure
protocols without departing from the invention or the appended
claims. Addition of red light was found to have no significant
increase in effectiveness, but other objectives can be served if
desired, namely, one can add illuminating power, or wavelengths or
over-expose generally without departing from the scope of the
invention or claims. After achieving illumination minimums as
stipulated, further illumination can be used without departing from
the scope of the appended claims.
[0311] Measurement units were chosen illustratively and in the
appended claims include irradiance in W/cm.sup.2 but radiance or
other similar measures can be used and would by fair conversion
read upon the appended claims if equivalent.
[0312] For clarity, the invention has been described in structural
and functional terms. Those reading the appended claims will
appreciate that those skilled in the art can formulate, based on
the teachings herein, embodiments not specifically presented
here.
[0313] Production, whether intentional or not, of irradiance levels
that are under the magnitude of powers as given in the appended
claims shall not be considered a departure from the claims if a
power level as claimed is used at any time during treatment.
[0314] The illumination protocol disclosed and claimed can be
supplemented with visible light, which can enhance user safety by
increasing avoidance and can allow for pupil contraction of the eye
of an operator; other radiations can be added with without
departing from the appended claims.
[0315] The invention, in effecting a change of state to having
reduced germination viability of a seed, can be performed on site,
such as agricultural field, or remotely at a later time and
place.
[0316] There is obviously much freedom to exercise the elements or
steps of the invention.
[0317] The description is given here to enable those of ordinary
skill in the art to practice the invention. Many configurations are
possible using the instant teachings, and the configurations and
arrangements given here are only illustrative.
[0318] Those with ordinary skill in the art will, based on these
teachings, be able to modify the invention as shown.
[0319] The invention as disclosed using the above examples may be
practiced using only some of the optional features mentioned above.
Also, nothing as taught and claimed here shall preclude addition of
other structures, functional elements, or systems.
[0320] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present
invention are possible in light of the above teaching. It is
therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended
claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described or suggested here.
* * * * *